How to talk about old people
Some California “wisdom” below. The report is from Ireland and I think they had fun listing all the “forbidden” terms. I must confess I had a few laughs myself.
“‘Codger’ is out, and don’t even think about using ‘fogey’, ‘fossil’ or ‘elderly’, ageism activists in the US have warned. In fact, ’senior’ and ‘of a certain age’ are also no–nos on a list of dos and don’ts of reporting people of a certain age. The advice is included in a media guide on reporting issued by the International Longevity Centre and Ageing Services of California.
In it, the campaign groups attempt to help journalists and advertisers represent ‘older people’ – its preferred term – in a “fair contemporary and unbiased” manner. To redress the bias, the pressure groups have listed a lexicon of unacceptable terms for older adults. It includes ‘biddy’, ‘old goat’ and ‘prune’ – all of which should not be used. ‘Old ladies’ of both the ‘little’ and ’sweet’ variety are also to be avoided. Gone too should be ‘old fart’ and ‘miserly old man’, the report states
Indeed the list of acceptable terms is far shorter than those that can’t be used. Journalists are advised: “If you need to identify individuals over the age of 50, ‘older adults’ is preferred over “senior” and “elderly”, which can be discriminatory in nature.
Euphemisms are also not the best way forward, according to the guide. So out goes ‘golden years’ as a description of an individual’s period of life relating to the years after being deemed to be an older adult.
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don’t forget your daily roundup of pro-environment but anti-Greenie news and commentary at GREENIE WATCH . Email me (John Ray) here
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Posted by JonJayRay on February 14, 2009 9:04 am
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, News, Political Correctness, Psychology, Social Engineering, Stupidity
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2 Responses to “How to talk about old people”
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The really funny part is watching these folks twist language and meaning so that unless you’re a certain age, no one will know what you’re talking about.
BTW, they left out my favorite, “curmudgeon”.
I like being addressed as “fogey, old man, curmudgeon, etc.” on occasion. and I am only 54. Sometimes, those are actually terms of respect.
As for my Congress-Critter’s staff people, it is somewhat more formal. I require them to address me as Retired Petty Officer. And they are also required to treat me with the deference and respect that comes with that.
All lefties are required to drop and give me 50.