Following the great debate about the deployment of the word “retard” by Vinnie Jones on Celebrity Big Brother, more words seem about to appear on the list of words which must not be used in respectable company.
In this week’s Time Out, the columnist Michael Hodges has been to task for using the word “loony” not once but several times in a piece. “This word is, like ‘nutter’, offensive to mental health service users and practitioners,” complains a reader, Terry Maunder.
What next? “Idiot” must surely be just as offensive to mental health service users and practitioners, not to mention “moron” and “cretin”. In fact, “stupid” must logically be banned on the grounds that it may hurt the feelings of those who are differently abled in the intellectual department. “Lame” insults those who are pedally challenged through no fault of their own.
There is, in fact, no end to the number of words which should be removed from the decent conversation, according to the busy language police. Poor old Melvyn Burgess, the children’s author, has been labelled as racist on his Facebook page for referring to a roomful of brown faces and girls in saris after visit to India.
Of course, Melvyn sensible apologised for any offence caused. But, surely a few of us can agree that this is all becoming just a little bit st*p*d.
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Article Comments
2010-04-28
While I fully agree that polictical correctness is getting out of hand, I’d have to pick you up on implying that “nutter” is a perfectly acceptable word to use in any given circumstance. If someone were having a breakdown and someone used that word directly at that person who may be feeling fragile, this may intimidate and exclude the person with mental health problems. It is in the mental health profession’s intrest to be apropriate and not name call. The well exprienced mental health worker you refered to would have a better idea of the needs of mental health patients and those not recieving care than a well experienced Blogger like you . All I’m saying is people can be cruel and you come across one of those types of people. This man, Terry is polite and brings out the best in people. If I were you I’d heed his advice and not be so worried about the “busy “language police”" as you beautifully put it making you feel bad or like a little st*p*d like say a metaphorical head teacher woo Terence we all make mistakes. “Melvyn sensible apologised” now are you taking the mic or infact as ignorant as you seem?
2010-05-11
I find it irritation when people who should know better use ‘following’ when they mean ‘after’…
2011-02-05
I would agree that to say how you feel is the best option. Just do that.