Are You Offended By ‘Hard-Working Families’?

[Khandro]

'Scarcely a day passes without a newspaper story about some absurd ‘language guide’ issued by a public body. This week the Daily Mail reported that Wokingham Borough Council had told its staff not to use the phrase ‘hard-working families’ in case it offended the unemployed. Other verboten words included ‘blacklist’ and ‘whitewash’, and staff were warned that ‘sustained eye contact could be considered aggressive’ in some cultures. I don’t think they meant supporters of Millwall football club, but you never know.

Not to be outdone, Cardiff University has told its students to avoid using ‘British-English’ phrases such as ‘kill two birds with one stone’, ‘break a leg’ and ‘a piece of cake’ because they won’t be understood by people who didn’t grow up speaking English. Couldn’t you make the same argument for removing all the Welsh road signs in Cardiff? After all, less than 30 per cent of Welsh people actually understand the language, so that’s a majority of the indigenous population who stare at them in bafflement.......'

Toby Young. No sacred Cows. The Spectator.

[davebro3]

Have these people nothing better to do to earn their pay?🙄

[Old_Geezer]

Saw an article on this ages ago. I simply responded as I do to a lot of things these days. Despaired at the human race and especially those making decisions. I may or may not have flicked my eyesight to look up at the ceiling in exasperation. I do that occasionally as a coping mechanism and to keep at least one person (i.e. me) still sane.

[Khandro]

A phrase I think you are unlikely to come across is - 'hard-working civil servants.'  

[douglas9401]

I'll comply as long as politicians stop being committed to every damned thing, illegal immigrants are called just that and black history settles for a more reasonable week.

[THECORBYLOON]

Are the road signs in Cardiff not in Welsh and English?

[ToraToraTora]

"Are You Offended By ‘Hard-Working Families’?" - no, I am offended by works shy scum.

[Ellipsis]

"Wokingham" 😂

[Untitled]

i doubt very much that these stories occurred as reported. 

[Khandro]

Corby; //Are the road signs in Cardiff not in Welsh and English?//

If my memory serves me; yes, but I think the Welsh comes first, which doesn't help when you're driving & need a quick glance at the sign for direction.

[douglas9401]

Something about protesting too much there.

[Khandro]

untitled, //i doubt very much that these stories occurred as reported.// 

It's reported as so in several other journals inc. ;                                        https://www.gbnews.com/news/berkshire-news-wokingham-council-woke-language-guide.

Yes & Wokinghaham Council is aptly named  😄

[naomi24]

untitled, //i doubt very much that these stories occurred as reported.// 

 

Why doubt it?  It's been happening for years.

[nicebloke1]

The term,( hard working families) is used by many politicians especially during the run up to a GE. They believe its a way of snuggling up to the public and winning their support. What it really is, is pure BS.

[Atheist]

Some people are very easily offended. I thought that was supposed to be the trademark of a snowflake or ethnic minority person.

[fender62]

diversity officers have to keep there jobs valid, so aothe day another thought edict, one day this whole debacle will crash.

[naomi24]

We can hope, fender.  The sooner the better.

[douglas9401]

Potentially crash, surely. They're committed to it.

[nicebloke1]

I've really worked hard today on doing very little.

[david small]

I take absolutely no notice whatsoever of these silly suggestions and just go about my business as usual.

[nicebloke1]

Very sensible.