egafd.com

Agreed. And as my nan used to say: It doesn't cost a penny.

Sam,
I agree with most of what you say but did it ever occur to you that the wrong words are sometimes used simply because people are not aware that newer less offensive words are now in use. We don't all live in big cities so we're not all "up" on the latest "in" words.
As to nit picking I'll nit pick to the extent ----- have you ever thought you might offend somebody by some of you're replies ?.
I'll stick to what I said about "you can't go through life without offending somebody" ----- mistakes can and do happen.
If I offend somebody whether on purpose or by accident it's something I can live with and I don't intend going on an awareness course or receiving counselling.

[quote]I agree with most of what you say but did it ever occur to you that the wrong words are sometimes used simply because people are not aware that newer less offensive words are now in use.[/quote]

Of course this has occurred to me. It's obvious that not everyone can say the right thing all of the time. I never said or implied that this wasn't the case, did I? My main point was about people complaining about the their use of language, not their slip-ups.

[quote] have you ever thought you might offend somebody by some of you're replies ?[/quote]

Hmmm, probably, yes, but what's your point? I don't see the connection in offending someone during a debate and knowingly offending someone just because you can't be arsed to use a more acceptable term which costs you nothing.

[quote]I'll stick to what I said about "you can't go through life without offending somebody" ----- mistakes can and do happen.[/quote]

Again, what's your point? I never said you can't go through life offending anybody, did I? I just pointed out that some people use this as an excuse to say and do what the fuck they like. You can't go through your whole life without farting in an enclosed environment in public either, but considerate people try their best not to do so. Why is it more of a problem in avoiding certain words and phrases so as not to offend?

Deano! wrote:
> Caucasian for 'white' but this never seems to cause
I've passed through the Caucasus a few times and never seen
anyone who could remotely be desribed as 'white'. I understand
the term is more genetic than phenotypic.....


> Here in Oz, in the past few years the term 'aboriginal' is
> being replaced with 'indigenous'
As you know, 'aboriginal' derives from ab origine, the term used
to differentiate 'true Romans' from other citizens of Latium and
the rest of the Roman Empire. So they may have a good case for
legal action against the Australian government ; - )))

And see my earlier coment regarding the illogicality and hypocrisy of
the 'N'-word : -)

As you say this is a debate so to me there is no right and no wrong answer (though I suppose you will disagree). You have your point of view and I have mine. I've taken on board much of what has been said but that does not necessarily mean I agree with it all.
Life is about learning and things change just don't expect me to change overnight to fit in with your view of how things should be.

4WIW, I have NEVER yet filled out one of these hugely irritating
and patronising 'tick-boxes' that require information about my
supposed 'race', not even for my [successful] job-application.

If I were ever to be challenged on this [oh, please, God, yes....]
I would argue, even unto the Curia, "Anglo-Saxon-Bretano-Celtico-
Finno-Gaelic-Nordo-Germanic-Aryano-Hispano-Romanic-Hebraeo-
hominid" wouldn't fit in the box, Guv : -)

Sam Slater wrote:
> Why is it more of a problem
> in avoiding certain words and phrases so as not to offend?


This is more the one that REALLY riles me; I'm a great believer in
good manners; the oil that lubricates society, to put it rather
badly poetically. But why, as it appears so increasingly obvious,
is this such a one-way street?

Dick Moby wrote:
> As you say this is a debate so to me there is no right and no
> wrong answer

I beg to differ; there are always the Blessed Twins of Right
and Wrong.
Facts rule......