To not know if describing a person as coloured is politically incorrect.

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid]

Was talking to a friend today and I mentioned I had met one of his colleagues (but I wasn't sure who). He said. Oh was she a coloured lady?

I said yes and we each knew who it was I had met. I was a bit taken aback as you don't really hear the word coloured used anymore. But it was probably the best way to describe her (kind of Mediterranean / Indian).

Was I being too politically correct for being at the way he described her?

If you actually read the link you'd see it refers to the use all over the world.

?The term ?colored? is not derogatory,? Sims continued. ?They chose the word ?colored? because it was the most positive description commonly used at that time. It?s outdated and antiquated but not offensive.? - referring to NAACP.

"In British usage the term can refer to those of Asian, Middle-Eastern or African descent and is not usually considered derogatory, though more accurate terms are preferable (particularly if referring to a single ethnicity)"

So. NOT RACIST. Wiki never lies. Now please, ahem, go away :)

"though more accurate terms are preferable"

Well, all other arguments aside, that would be enough for me. But I've always considered good manners really important. Obviously others think differently.

tethersend

" You can't say 'jar' unless you explain the logic of using a word for a jam receptacle to describe your displeasure (not offence) at a swearword, Whatme. "

Jar To be discordant or distasteful; to grate, etc.

Wow Pendeen- you mean the same word can have two different meanings???!!!

That is just illogical...

Cooooeeeeeee! SN crowd.....over here!

"Somebody called someone who said something idiotic an idiot. Would you like me to hang, draw and quarter her for you? No? You mean you don't find that offensive? Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs! No, no, sorry to have trouble you, as you were"

It has many of meanings tethersend

SN crowd?

Didn't Dobie Gray do a song about them?

Oh. Hang on.

It has many meanings tethersend

"It has many of meanings tethersend"

Well, blow me down.

I wonder if there are any more such words? I mean, imagine if there was a word which was inoffensive in one of its meanings, but offensive in another. What would we do? WHAT WOULD WE DO????

It's a minefield.

There are indeed very many words with multiple meanings tethersend

Your confusion is entirely understandable.

I've just filled in the acceptance form for dd's secondary school place. There are eighteen different options for ethnicity, and funnily enough none of them is 'coloured'. Wonder why.

You also get to just write in your title rather tha choose from miss mrs ms mr, which I want to post on the ms thread but it's no longer on my threads I'm on"!

"I've just filled in the acceptance form for dd's secondary school place. There are eighteen different options for ethnicity, and funnily enough none of them is 'coloured'. Wonder why."

Dunno, but it seems slightly racist.

Have you reported them to Ofted?

How does that sound racist?

I think she is making a (crap) joke. Pay no notice.

It's profoundly crap, then!

I imagine there are some people who'd like the form to say 'White/Coloured/Oriental/Paki'.