Sexist language in the workplace

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I've just been made aware of some comments made by a leader in a large organisation, which have shocked me.
He (apparently, I wasn't there) said he wanted to avoid "hands down knickers to get things done". Am I over-reacting when I think this is completely unacceptable?

What does that even mean?

I'm presuming it means to coerce people into doing things...

It's bizarre and miles away from appropriate.

No idea what it means. Very bizarre and inappropriate.

Yes that's obviously inappropriate and there's not even the "it's a common saying" excuse given that I've never heard it before and have no idea what it means!

I think it's down to your colleagues who were there to act really? I mean if you didn't hear it, it's not much to go on.

If I was in a meeting and someone said this I think everyone would be very very WTAF but no-one would "do anything". I mean it wasn't aimed at anyone, I get more pissed off when I feel someone is speaking down to me personally or directing stuff at me IYSWIM.

Oh and when that happens I don't do anything either, TBH.

Cos, I dunno. What can you do, really.

Is it a version of 'hands off cocks, on socks?' that's all I can think of.

Hever heard of that one either. ...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's inappropriate. If I'd been there I'd have wanted to do something (although with him being the MD I'm not sure what).

As I wasn't I'm just going to stew on how someone who thinks that's appropriate managed to get to such a position of power....

Totally bizarre and inappropriate! In a similar vein, I was at a conference yesterday. On one of the slides, it said 'sense - or motherhood/apple pie'. At no point was this explained or referred to. The conference was Physics-related. WTAF??

I think in a work context I would have said "Excuuuuuuuse me?" in an icy tone and explained that I found that inappropriate language at work.

If it escalates, well, cross the bridge when you come to it...

Is it a very inappropriate female twist on grabbing people by the balls?

Isn't motherhood and apple pie an American version of 'teaching granny to suck eggs', i.e. telling you stuff you already know? Was the presentation covering basic stuff at that point?

i thought motherhood and apple pie was saying "this is something that everyone agrees is a good thing"

Ah, thanks Yops & Petula, I'd never heard the expression before, so it perhaps makes a bit more sense now you've explained (odd to use a US expression though - there was only one American there!) Hands down knickers though.... Ugh.