Let's ban these words

Two theories of how it all began:

www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/287100.html

www.politicallyincorrect.me.uk/history.htm

There must be an office full of people somewhere, deciding what is acceptable, and changing it frequently.

Gosh, if even the very pc Benedict Cucumberpatch gets it wrong what hope is there for the rest of us?

I prefer a 'flat white' myself

No he got it wrong Ana. He referred to 'coloured actors' (saying there should be more of them) and was heavily criticised.

Oh dear, it took people long enough to accept that people of colour wanted to be called 'black', now that's changed...

Didn't Benedict Crumbleditch get some bad press for referring to 'people of colour' last year?

I shall ask for a coffee of colour next time I'm offered one.

'A person of colour' is presumably the correct pc term now because Diane Abbott uses it.

Therefore it must be right!

I really, for the life of me can't see that the word 'black' is somehow offensive when describing a cuppa!
Yes though, I know of someone who was given a verbal warning for the same thing.

Many years ago, in Birmingham City centre, I asked for a black coffee. I was not corrected, but as it was given to me, the server said " one coffee with no milk". Education by example.

It wasn't an urban myth in Nottingham in the 1980s when blackboards most definitely became known as chalkboards, along with several other ridiculous wordbans (baa baa woolly sheep for example, and milky coffee).

We do ourselves no favours if we deny that this happened. Maybe not in all areas but definitely in some.

Thanks Ana for pointing out the blackboard myth is exactly that, an urban myth.

So far as i know, the use of the world 'coloured' in South Africa was to group together people of mixed or dual heritage. Blacks were blacks, whites were whites and coloureds came somewhere in the middle, not good enough to live in white areas, or bad enough to be pushed out to live in black areas.

Language evolves and why shouldn't it. In the past, people were described as 'cretins' or 'cripples', we now use different terms because the earlier language is no longer acceptable. I don't believe its a good thing to take offence where none was intended. I don't mind having my use of language corrected. I'd believed, incorrectly, that the phrase "nitty gritty" was linked to slavery. Someone on gransnet put me right on that one.
I don't like the term 'politically correct' as a catch all to put down anyone who tries to avoid offending others.
I'm off to hug a tree or three whilst walking my dogs on this bright, frosty morning.

(not all sex workers are prostitutes)

Never heard that the word 'prositute' is now to be avoided. The blackboard myth is just that - an urban myth.

Oh that's expanded 10 fold, grannypiper! It now takes into account so many preferences..
I'm sorry if it offends, but what a load of rubbish.

So does that mean there is no LGBT GROUP anymore ?

Thanks(i think) Elesgran & Barmyoldbat My head hurts and i want to get off

It's very difficult to keep up with all the changes as to what is the correct terminology. I'm speaking generally now. DD is always pulling me up for using the wrong word. As I said on another thread, ponce or poncy is now considered offensive though it used to mean a bit pretentious. I had no idea 'mixed race' is now wrong - some of my grandchildren have a mother from another ethnic group and she has commented about not knowing which box to tick on school forms asking for ethnic group. I think she wetn for mixed race in the end but didnt say it was offensive. I was told by a black friend that the term coloured is now offensive (I knew that but many of my friends dont) - however it is ok in S Africa. Apparently whatever one says, never mind the intention, if the person is offended by it then it's offensive, But she said her own mother still calls herself coloured! And it now seems fashionable to call oneself a person of colour!!!
I have also been told that one cant say blackboard it has to be chalk board (but whiteboard is ok!). And the word 'brainstorming' might offend people with epilepsy so you have to say board blasting or something.
My daughter tells me one cant say prostitute (let alone other slangy words for the same thing) - it has to be sex worker. There are many more examples. Its a real minefield.

Right, Jane, they are a new name for an old group. They still sound to me rather as though they are more driven by their own libido than by their wish to relate to their partner(s) as a person.

Elegran I had to Google the word 'pansexual', but with all due respect I think you haven't fully grasped its implications.
Unlike 'bisexual' 'pansexual' implies that the person will have sex with anyone, male, female, transgender, people who are gender-fluid, etc.
'Bisexual' is now frowned upon as it reinforces binary gender, and 'pansexual' is the preferred terminology.
Just thought you'd like to know that

Nothing wrong with masculine or feminine but society needs to allow a feminine man to still be a man, like Grayson. Nowadays feminine boys can end up on a lifetime of drugs and told they are girls trapped in male bodies, they are often just feminine men who may grow up to be gay.

Toxic masculinity needs to be challenged as does gender stereotyping.

Gender roles are being policed more now than at any other time and it's dangerous, thank the gods for people like Grayson who have the courage to be a feminine man.

Ah but Elegran, randy old b.... implies its a male... but agree,

As I said, Barmyoldbat, a randy b*****d who will screw anyone at all to get their own satisfaction. Presumably anyone who is willing.

Waits for the cries of pain from pansexual GN posters . . .

Be sensible. If you don't like a word/phrase, then don't use it. I think we have gone way over the top being PC so we don't upset anyone. Everyone gets upset about things! it's part of human nature. Providing you're not trying to be deliberately offensive what does it matter.

Pansexual is someone attracted to any sex or gender. So now you know. Never heard of the word before, must be one of these trendy new words