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

@beastlyslumber

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.

Well, it’s true that the word “woman” has become especially problematic recently, but I doubt any sane person would seriously propose we stop using it.

Phrases like “Sloane Ranger” on the other hand, came in, stayed a few years and then slipped out of use. Our language is none the poorer for its demise.

Every use of Cis is a slur when used to describe people.
Men & women are men & women, they do not need to be called anything else to define what they genuinely are.

It is as stupid sounding as adding human in front of the same words.
You don't need to say human man or human woman everytime you use those words because we already know they refer to humans, so it makes people sound like an idiot if they use the term too.

Nobody points at a female tiger & says "Look at that woman!"

It also ends up being defined to mean normal or real.
Transpeople say they feel they are the opposite of what they genetically are.
If cis means normal then trans means abnormal.
If cis means real then trans means fake.

Is that how you define transpeople?
Because if you use cis that is what you are doing.

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

Personally I've always considered that it was the Tories who didn't have the arguments, while there are very good arguments to be made for against capitalism and for better social provisions without resorting to the use of mysogynist, ageist and disablist insults.

Libtard is a vile play on 'retard', a horribly ableist word, so I'm glad that's on their banned list.

Well, it’s true that the word “woman” has become especially problematic recently, but I doubt any sane person would seriously propose we stop using it.

Well yes but not everyone who gets to make laws and rules around language is sane, unfortunately. And plenty of people have said we should stop using the word "woman" including business people and politicians. People have been sacked for saying things like "only women can give birth."

Clearly OFCOM is run by a bunch of boomers

I hate the use of the shorthand like gammon or karen which address one part of someone’s opinions or behaviours but bring in a lot of other connotations which are then used to reduce them to a stereotype. I know people who voted Brexit so someone like James O’Brien referring to them as gammon is offensive and reduces them to a stereotype. Likewise Karen - calling someone a Karen for making what you think is a pretty complaint is also calling them racist, out of touch, unreasonable etc.

Good they are nasty derogatory slang terms for women, older people and the disabled. Should not be on public media.

How often are men called feminazis and terfs?

@Bloose

Very pleased Terf is on there!

Maybe they will add cis next.

Yes cis should be on there as well as cervix having person

I passionately hate made up words (e.g hangry,) so I'm all up some of these going. I absolutely hate the use of "woke". It's grammatically inaccurate for start off.

Hmm, Terfy-Remoaner 👋

@ZombieEthel

Libtard is a vile play on 'retard', a horribly ableist word, so I'm glad that's on their banned list.

Agree

@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.

And this one post reveals the woke mentality. Well done for giving the game away.

But I have no issue with Karen or Gammon. If she shoe doesn't fit then don't wear it.

You should have an issue with Gammon as it's often used as an anti-white slur, rather than the narrower description I posted. Racial slurs of any kind are not acceptable.

They're not banned terms. They're a list of terms that people considered offensive in a poll commissioned by Ofcom. They corrected the clickbait article about it on twitter.

@Macncheeseballs

How often are men called feminazis and terfs?

Roughly as often as women are called gammons.