OFCOM's new 'banned terms' list

[wink1970]

Not an AIBU at all, but just noting that OFCOM have listed a new set of labels that they deem insulting, not be used in the media in a pejorative way. I have seen quite a few on here recently.

Karen: A pejorative term for an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle-aged white woman

Gammon: A term referring to the colour of a person's flushed face when expressing their strong opinions, associated particularly with right-wing brexiteers

Libtard: A word used to describe people on the political left who are perceived to be easily offended, 'woke' and overly politically correct

Snowflake: Someone perceived as too sensitive, easily offended and outraged

Feminazi: A term used to describe an outspoken and radical feminist

Boomer: An insult for baby boomers who are perceived to be out of touch and dismissive of younger generations

Remoaner: Someone against Brexit perceived to be constantly complaining about it

Terf: A 'trans-exclusionary radical feminist' - used to describe people who reject the assertion that trans women are women and are opposed to trans-rights legislation

Good. All of these do nothing but cause division.

@TheOrigRights Actually I’m quite authoritarian but I don’t agree with policing people’s language.

Only "Karen" is aimed exclusively at women. The others are all neutral (because men can be feminists).

Men can’t be feminists. They can be allies though.

Really happy to see Terf on there but they really should have added the equally offensive Cis.

Interesting how they're OK with the Tories and their 'war on woke'.

The concerns about OFCOM being a Tory mouthpiece are not unfounded. This is a very slippery slope.

These terms were not regularly used in any mainstream media I have seen - TV or print - even the Daily Fail (which I admit I do not look at regularly). Can only imagine them having been used by highly right or left leaning outfits prior to this - so of course their readership will be up in arms about the change, but most of us were probably not seeing it anyway.

So all a bit pointless really.

And of course use on social media will continue regardless (and is no doubt why I already knew every single term), because individuals are not the media.

Men can’t be feminists. They can be allies though.

@Warmduscher More bullshit. Of course they can.

If anyone tells a feminist that they are wrong and talking bullshit and that of course men can be feminists, it shows you exactly why men can’t be feminists.

What’s wrong with being an ally?

How is feminazi valid?? I care about women's rights, not gassing Jews!

I don't think snowflake is particularly offensive, but glad to see the others are on there as they are just nasty. Also agree that CIS should be on there. I'm a woman, not a cis woman.

And FFS, nobody is BANNING these words. Read the title carefully. It's OFCOM. Not the general public.

Well that’s ok. I can still call people f as so that’s ok...

@KittenKong

Well that’s ok. I can still call people f** a**s so that’s ok...

Clearly not though?

They should have added 'Woke' to that list because it has been bastartized from its original meaning. But I have no issue with Karen or Gammon. If she shoe doesn't fit then don't wear it.

[quote seaandsandcastles]@TheOrigRights Actually I’m quite authoritarian but I don’t agree with policing people’s language.[/quote]
It's not policing people's language. It's making sure media outlets use suitable terms. Or would you approve of the BBC reporting about the n*gets in Africa because 'free speech'? FFS

@VladmirsPoutine

They should have added 'Woke' to that list because it has been bastartized from its original meaning. But I have no issue with Karen or Gammon. If she shoe doesn't fit then don't wear it.

So the racist slurs are OK then? Right-o.

NewMutiny - I’m just being polite

@WhatATimeToBeAlive

I don't think snowflake is particularly offensive, but glad to see the others are on there as they are just nasty. Also agree that CIS should be on there. I'm a woman, not a cis woman.

I've never seen cis used as an insult but I've seen snowflake used as one plenty of times.

You might not like those terms, but they are not racist slurs FFS.

Is this going to be another thread with posters comparing Karen to the n-word?

I agree those are all insults, but like a pp, I'm not in favour of policing language.

Narrowing and restricting language until there's only a few acceptable terms of expression is doubleplusungood.

@beastlyslumber

I agree those are all insults, but like a pp, I'm not in favour of policing language.

Narrowing and restricting language until there's only a few acceptable terms of expression is doubleplusungood.

But most of these are words that have been added to the lexicon in the last few years.

So if they are no longer used in the media we are just left with the same number of words we had before they were added, not fewer.

But it never stops at just a few words, does it? There will be something else added, and something else, and then some other things. First it's words that you think, fair enough, they're all insults. Then they tell you you can't use words you want to use either.

@WhatATimeToBeAlive You honestly think Karen and Gammon are "racist slurs"?? Like seriously?

@amusedbush

Gammon is a hilariously apt word though, I will continue to use and enjoy it myself

I think however there's the same problem as with 'Karen', as in some people really have these now pejorative terms as their names.

It's not hilarious for them.

Variations of Gammon as a surname exist in the UK and beyond, including G'main, Gamman, Gaimon, Gaimen, Gammin. Try being a kid with one of those surnames these days. It has a really nasty connotation now, as does 'Karen'.

It worries me. It's all so unpleasant.