Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#3416 06/13/00 04:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1
V
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
V
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. . .


#3417 06/13/00 05:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
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'?


#3418 06/13/00 06:50 PM
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 112
D
member
Offline
member
D
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=1

I 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!

#3419 06/14/00 02:30 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
J
jmh Offline
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
J
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".


#3420 06/14/00 05:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
here's one, coined by columnist Ellen Goodman, which seems somehow appropos: strawperson...


#3421 06/15/00 01:28 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
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?



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5