to think that there is NEVER an acceptable reason to call a 32 year old woman a "young girl?"

[Hullygully]

No I'm not.

I couldn't care less what emotive flannel is flung about.

IT. IS.NOT.ACCEPTABLE.

The end.

Wow, Jemma you are a bit of a bitch aren't you.

Hully, YANBU. For all the reasons you have already stated. Completely get where you are coming from.

The family and friends of course can describe their loved ones which ever way they see as most fitting. Of course this will be more intimate and less formal than colleagues particularly ones who have never met them ie the Chief Constable in this instance.

But the Chief Constable, who is not a friend or a personal acquaintance, describing police officers under his command as "young girls"...

I accept he meant to convey something of the tragic loss of a [relatively] young life.

But to my mind this term is belittling and demeaning to two professional women who died in the line of duty.

It is still horrific and sad if they are described as young women, they don't need to be labelled as mere girls to activate sympathy.

And I have no words for the term "slaughter of the innocents" [Daily Mail, Sun?] just

Ah yes, PR. I think the point about honourable and worthwhile occupations is proved, isn't it?

Get a life you halfwit - a career in domestic cleansing or fast food distribution awaits you

Only a halfwit would think that was an insult jemma47

Kewcumber I call my friend's 50 year old husband a young boy. A fine young boy.

He doesn't get sniffy.

I don't call it him because I disrespect him or dislike him. I call it him because I do respect him and like him very much. If HE were to die, and I were to make a formal speech, to the press, as his friend/superior or asked to contribute, I would most certainly say "He was a shit hot chess player, and a lovely young boy".

Then again, if I didn't like him, thought he was a knob, I could also use that exact same term as an insult.

Don't you people understand context at all?? I know you're up with your grammar and down with the dictionary and thesaurus, you're intelligent people, far wordier than me, but context IS key.

and yes i do know about iraq and afghanistan. not only because i just do, but also (pulls personal anecdote out) my boyfriend at the time was a medic who was one of the last to keave iraq and has since done three tours in afghanistan.

No, nor are the words 'total arsehole'

Actually jemma47 we still have some troops in iraq, and we didnt pull out ten years ago. just this month the navy where helping to train some iraqi forces and there are several small bases of british forces personnel in iraq.

Bigot bingo!

There is';t a council estate in the country that would have you, Jemma. Most council house dwellers of my acquaintance have far better taste. They're also more literate and quite a lot more amusing. now do piss off; you may as well, because I suspect you'll be banned quite soon anyway

And I'm glad this issue is still going in spite of efforts to close down debate. So thanks, hully

Wonders when mnhq will be along with an 'ahem' and reminder of guidlines.

Some posters are not presenting themselves in a terribly good light.

Sorry Aldi but I think that's weird to call a 50 year old man "a lovely young boy".

You're right, I guess I just don't understand the context of this.

"I don't call it him because I disrespect him or dislike him. I call it him because I do respect him and like him very much. If HE were to die, and I were to make a formal speech, to the press, as his friend/superior or asked to contribute, I would most certainly say "He was a shit hot chess player, and a lovely young boy".

Then again, if I didn't like him, thought he was a knob, I could also use that exact same term as an insult.

Don't you people understand context at all?? I know you're up with your grammar and down with the dictionary and thesaurus, you're intelligent people, far wordier than me, but context IS key. "

Oh the irony......

Depends on the context of the situation and who is saying it.

My neighbour calls me a youngster and I am 45..

I call my 23 year old son a kid as he is to me but obviously actually an adult.

I don't want to comment on the horrific and sad deaths of the police women on a frivolous networking site and surprised that anyone else does.

Far to early, raw and so distasteful.

Oh My Goodness. Do people really get offended about things like this? I hope that I always remain a 'young girl' at heart and I think it would be flattering to be described as such, without regard for my age or station. Do you also shout at old gents who call you "Miss"?

AHEM

Banned ? for challenging an opinion / and banned because you dont like it ? (my opinion) how fair

i am now happily imagining jemma crafting press releases for her company....'this product is fabulous because all those thickos are stupid enough to buy any old shit we put out.' sidelined because you were preggers? you think so?

@5madthings

Wonders when mnhq will be along with an 'ahem' and reminder of guidlines.

Some posters are not presenting themselves in a terribly good light.

Whoops
Sorry to be predictable there - bit of a x-post.

5madthings, you are psychic

If you only knew...............