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. . .

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'?

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!

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".

here's one, coined by columnist Ellen Goodman, which seems somehow appropos: strawperson...

I've asked the folks at http://urbanlegends.com/ to check it out. Meanwhile, where/what is Stockport College?