|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1 |
Ok, anyone want to help in some small way to combat the rampant PC-ism raging on college campuses these days? I just got an email from a friend that detailed a list of words being banned by Stockport College as sexist, racist, or offensive to the handicapped or otherwise impaired. One of the words (drum roll please) was 'history'. 'History'?! I ask you, did these decision-makers take one moment to contemplate that this word has origins (I suspect from 'histoire' in French) in ANOTHER LANGUAGE? I'm looking for someone to give me specific, accurate, and thorough information on the etymology of this word. I'm going to grace Stockport College with a small letter. . .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
history comes from the Greek (and Latin) historia and has nothing whatever to do with "his story" (except in the eyes of the beholder). Is 'female' on the list too, as it contains the word 'male'?
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 112
member
|
member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 112 |
I was amused to read an article about this in a South African newspaper. Here's the URL: http://www.iol.co.za/news/newsview.php3?click_id=79&art_id=qw960825781742B216&set_id=1I agree with your sentiments, velvetviking - this PC thing is really becoming a matter for ridicule - do you know anybody who lives on the Isle of Person, or who can recite "The Seven Ages of Person"? Are we to become (headscratching, here) huperson beings? What about the British system of titles - that should be next. I predict that some PC recipient of a Queen's (Monarch's) birthday honours list will seek a way to be titled, in a gender non-specific way. By the way - can anybody tell me where to get lessons on playing the persondolin, and how do I get my fingernails personicured? MANifestly risible!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
Surely this is a joke that has been blown up by the press.
It is just like when it was said that the GLC (Greater London Council under our own dear Ken) was alleged to have said that you could not by a black coffeee, use black boards or sing "Ba ba black sheep".
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
here's one, coined by columnist Ellen Goodman, which seems somehow appropos: strawperson...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
I've asked the folks at http://urbanlegends.com/ to check it out. Meanwhile, where/what is Stockport College?
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,404
Members9,182
|
Most Online3,341 Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
0 members (),
350
guests, and
1
robot. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|