Now The Word Leper Is Unacceptable

[DTCwordfan]

used a a five letter solution to a crossword clue 'outcast' as in an edition of 'Life and Work', the protest coming from the CEO of the Leprosy Mission in Scotland, she saying that she was 'somewhat dismayed' and that the use of the L-word should be banned, summarising 'in fact, we should have a campaign entitles "Delete the L-word",

Daily Telegraph page 2 today.

Purleeese - this is taking things yet another step too far. What next, a purge of disease names and any associated adjectives?

Views?

[dannyk13]

Dave, many crossword clues refer to the past, as in this case.

[ichkeria]

“ Coupling leper with outcast seems usage from another time, too.”

I can’t speak for the leprosy person, but Sandy is surely right in general: “leper” is dubious when used to mean “outcast” but not when used to mean someone with leprosy. That might of course change if the “outcast” version becomes the most common usage. I think that’s what maybe happened with “spastic”

[THECORBYLOON]

"“leper” is dubious when used to mean “outcast” but not when used to mean someone with leprosy."

Why do you not just say that person has leprosy?

[ichkeria]

Because it’s not the same part of speech :-)

But like I say, it’s possible that the word will eventually become unacceptable due to the derogatory sense rebounding back onto it

[pixie374]

They are being taken back though, ich.

//spastic
/ˈspastɪk/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
1.
relating to or affected by muscle spasm.//

A perfectly acceptable word, when used as it is meant. And it still is.

[douglas9401]

Indeed Pixie, otherwise one would be seen as a jerk?

[Peter Pedant]

so what
i dont think it is worf a protest thread on AB. I mean I can foo with the best of them ( er wivda best - - that is! )

it is not leper - it is the metaphor for an outcase

I fink cases of Myco. Leprae are still called Leprosy - I mean honestly I would like more to discuss Hancock rating as a bum feeler.... is there such a thread ?

[Peter Pedant]

yeah foo
I discussed wivva bank clerk whether I had parked and I said - it doesnt matter, I have a spaz-card
and she sortta had a well spazzie herself

the car - spaz-mobile of course

[Peter Pedant]

er sozza - blue card free parking scheme

[follyfancier]

they have changed a lot of words on Scrabble just recently quite a few that were useful big scores like JEW are no longer allowed

[ichkeria]

“ relating to or affected by muscle spasm.//

A perfectly acceptable word, when used as it is meant. And it still is”

Yes when it has that meaning;
And not describing someone with cerebral palsy :-)

[ichkeria]

I’m surprised JEW was ever allowed in Scrabble as its capitalised: in fact I’m pretty sure it’s never been allowed.
Other words HAVE been banned though