FYI mountaineering metaphors

[NZdad]

I saw a rumour on Mumsnet last week about how mountaineering metaphors were not allowed. But no confirmation / explanation.

Well, I just got both when mumsnet deleted my thread about the NYTimes article on gender-neutral language in maternity settings etc.

I'm not fussed, mumsnet has the right to do what it likes of course.

I am confused though, I can't see how this language is problematic, I think it's widespread & applied to many issues, all the way back to "p**k oil" etc. Maybe someone can explain it to me?

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Hi.

We're just getting in touch to let you know that we've deleted your thread here because we felt this section broke our talk guidelines:

"Has the NY Times p**ked? "

In this context, we consider the word, 'p**ked' not especially conducive to civil debate.

We know you'll be disappointed with our decision, but while we want to allow everyone to express their opinions on this issue, it's important that the debate remains civil and constructive. Feel free to repost whilst staying within the terms of our Talk guidelines.

Best wishes
MNHQ
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How did get the big font?

More on topic. I don't understand why a synonym for summitting is considered uncivil.

I was surprised to see that thread go then on checking saw the "P word" (not the one having an original association with a country). But like you I'm mystified by why it's supposed to be offensive. It's interesting how it has a character similar to "woke", ie a developing awareness.

No I can't explain it. The large bold font may be peaking me, possibly uncivilly, if not piquing my interest in why or how you did it.

I can understand why correctly sexing individuals can be deemed offensive. I don't agree in hiding reality, but I understand the opposing viewpoint in this case.

I genuinely don't understand why this particular word has to be asterisked like an extreme swear word or racial slur. I just though it meant something like "straw that broke the camel's back in terms of realising something". If I've missed some nuance in the origin I'm happy to be educated.

This seems to be a 100% Mumsnet-specific thing. I do wonder if one of the mods had a bad mountain experience at some point!

The other side is more normally complaining about words like "male". I've never seen this objected to anywhere else, but then I guess it's not normally a debate term, it's more just people relating personal experiences.

Maybe that's the point? Some monitor managed to persuade a mod that it was "offensive"? The aim being to stop women talking about their personal experiences?

I appreciate to a newish visitor it must seem a bit mad that certain totally innocuous words, describing fairly uncontentious experiences, are banned.

But here we are.

If one lists (not out loud! In secret, at night, only in your head!) the words one is not allowed to use, it may paint an informative picture or suggest a pattern.

If one lists (not out loud! In secret, at night, only in your head!) the words one is not allowed to use, it may paint an informative picture or suggest a pattern.

I agree it's very telling.

If MNHQ would kindly explain comprehensively we would all be very grateful as there seems to be no logic against this word.

I have 'Climb Every Mountain' from the Sound of Music as an ear worm now.

I've no idea of the actual premise behind banning that word. It effectively describes something that is happening all over the shop.

However, it is banned, and that's that.

Of course, people are monitoring these threads, and will report for the slightest transgression, in the hope of limiting speech.

My advice would be to just find a different way of describing what you're trying to describe.

If one lists (not out loud! In secret, at night, only in your head!) the words one is not allowed to use, it may paint an informative picture or suggest a pattern.*
*
@mnhq is there an actual list?

I'm one of the posters who expressed surprise on another thread that the top of the mountain was a banned word. It would be great to have a quick reference guide for words we cannot use and why, just so we can all be compliant at all times and free up your mod time.

Oh yes, I would particularly like to see the explanation for why an ordinary English word that means reaching one’s limit or boundary is so very offensive. Please do enlighten us, MN.

I mean, I can at least understand the reasoning for the c-word - that it could be "not especially conducive to civil debate", because (a) it's used in debates, and (b) it's characterising the opposition, and sure, could be used in a generally negative and unreasoned, uncivil way.

But this? It's not a term used in the actual debates, and it's not characterising anything other than someone's own experience. Or indeed "lived" experience, if that's what we're calling it these days.

It would make more sense to ban saying that men can feel like women.

There's not really a logic to it at all is there? It's a phrase not a slur.

I think HQ consider p 8 8 k as a fast elevator - like those glass ones outside posho tall slender office blocks that zoom up swiftly and make one's tummy flipflop alarmingly - that will take dialogue straight to bunfight so it is easier, simpler, maybe, for them to blanket ban rather than have to sigh heavily and boink that big red button. I do have sympathy with HQ staff, btw, a fine line is trod on occasion.

I think that we have just become used to pretzeling our words to be able to remain here.

I am sure that many newcomers will wonder why certain terms are used when there are plenty of good alternatives, but 'pretzel' we do to keep this board active. There is so much information disseminated here and I know plenty of posters have felt it is not worth it, but a great many of us do feel it is.

I love pretzeling, that is a perfect description. I have just recalled that we are not to discuss Bun and Bury either. Bury your buns, wims.

If there are certain words which will always or frequently be liable to deletion then it'd be helpful if they were explicitly listed - with explanations - in the special guidelines.

Would the thread have been deleted if it had been titled something like 'has the NY Times come to its senses?' ?

straight to bunfight

I think there is actually a dedicated 'straight to bunfight' board.

It's only a matter of time until Mumsnet figure out how to stop the big text surely?!

Are we allowed to discuss holidays in the P* District National Park? 🤷‍♀️

Where are the "special guidelines for feminists only" anyway? They don't appear at the top anymore.

Pretty sure "peak trans" wasn't listed in the guidelines though

ʇou ǝdoɥ I

ʇou ǝdoɥ I

Tee hee