Stanford's Newspeak Dictionary: Unabridged

It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.

When Dr Samuel Johnson had finished his great lexicography, the first real English dictionary, he was visited by various delegations of people to congratulate him, including a delegation of London’s respectable womanhood, who came to his parlour on Fleet Street and said, "Doctor, we want to congratulate you on your decision to exclude all indecent words from your dictionary." And he said, "Ladies, I congratulate you on your persistence in looking them up."

If people are determined to be offended, if they will climb up on the ladder, balancing it precariously on their own toilet cistern, to be upset by what they see through their neighbour’s bathroom window, there's nothing you can do about that.

Christopher Hitchens

Over the weekend, we were introduced, thanks to Justine Moore at Andreessen Horowitz, to a list of naughty words and phrases at Stanford. The naughty word list went by a much fancier name: the Eliminating Harmful Language Initiative (EHLI), which was created in the university’s IT department as a part of the much larger “anti-racism” push since May 2020. According to the group that wrote the list, the People of Color in Technology (POC-IT) affinity group, there have been several “scans” of university domains — test runs in advance of purging Stanford webpages of the words deemed “harmful,” which include “American,” “he,” and “she.”

In addition to the educational website, EHLI involves scanning Stanford University domains and sites to determine where and how identified harmful language is being used. The end goal is to help individuals and units eliminate harmful language that could be perpetuating stereotypes, inequality, violence, and racism.

Seven web domains authorized by the CIOC were scanned in a pilot phase to test the process of receiving, analyzing, and addressing scan results.

The list was announced in May 2022, but it didn’t get much attention in the months since. Then, after just a few days of online mockery, Stanford has removed the public page for EHLI from its website and put it behind the Stanford login portal — in effect, to hide it from the public.

Unfortunately for them, I already saved the entire thing, which I am pleased to present below. Not one of these is a parody, though it will often seem like I made these up in order to mock the left. Not so: I lifted the words/phrases, suggested alternatives, and explanations verbatim from the Stanford site.

It took unimaginable amounts of self-restraint to not include my commentary on some of these — believe me, I have a lot to say. But just know that as you’re reading through these, screaming and pulling your hair out at the idea that anyone could be so fragile and insane as to make a list like this… know that I’m screaming with you. Enjoy!

[BTW: You can send your own suggestions of harmful words to the very fine people of the EHLI at this email address: ehli-suggestions@stanford.edu]

Content Warning: This website contains language that is offensive or harmful. Please engage with this website at your own pace.

Ableism

Ableist language is language that is offensive to people who live with disabilities and/or devalues people who live with disabilities. The unintentional use of such terms furthers the belief that people who live with disabilities are abnormal.

"addict" | instead use: "person with a substance use disorder." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"addicted" | instead use: "hooked, devoted." Context: Trivializes the experiences of people who deal with substance abuse issues.

"basket case" | instead use: "nervous." Context: Originally referred to one who has lost all four limbs and therefore needed to be carried around in a basket.

"blind review" | instead use: "anonymous review." Context: Unintentionally perpetuates that disability is somehow abnormal or negative, furthering an ableist culture.

"blind study" | instead use: "masked study." Context: Unintentionally perpetuates that disability is somehow abnormal or negative, furthering an ableist culture.

"committed suicide" | instead use: "died by suicide." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with mental health conditions.

"confined to a wheelchair" | instead use: "person who uses a wheelchair." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics. Also, users of wheelchairs often find them to be an essential tool for their freedom instead of thinking of them as a prison.

"crazy" | instead use: "surprising/wild." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with mental health conditions.

"cripple (n), crippled (adj)" | instead use: "person with a disability." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with disabilities.

"crippled (v)" | instead use: "disabled, impaired or weakened." Context: Unnecessarily equates the weakening of something with people living with disabilities.

"dumb" | instead use: "non-vocal, non-verbal." Context: Once used to describe a person who could not speak and implied the person was incapable of expressing themselves.

"handicap parking" | instead use: "accessible parking." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with disabilities.

"handicapped" | instead use: "person with a disability." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"handicapped space" | instead use: "accessible space." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with disabilities.

"insane" | instead use: "surprising/wild." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with mental health conditions.

"lame" | instead use: "boring, uncool." Context: Ableist language that can trivialize the experience of people living with disabilities.

"mentally ill" | instead use: "person living with a mental health condition." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"OCD" | instead use: "detail-oriented." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with mental health conditions.

"paraplegic" | instead use: "person with a spinal cord injury, person who is paralyzed." Context: This term generalizes a population of people while also implying that people with disabilities are not capable.

"quadriplegic" | instead use: "person with a spinal cord injury, person who is paralyzed." Context: This term generalizes a population of people while also implying that people with disabilities are not capable.

"retard (n)" | instead use: "person with a cognitive disability, person with autism, neurodivergent person." Context: This term is a slur against those who are neurodivergent or have a cognitive disability.

"retarded (adj)" | instead use: "boring, uncool." Context: This term is a slur against those who are neurodivergent or have a cognitive disability. It should not be used to make a point about a person, place or thing.

"sanity check" | instead use: "confidence check, coherence check, fact check." Context: This term could be offensive to those dealing with mental health issues.

"spaz" | instead use: "clumsy." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with disabilities.

"stand up meeting" | instead use: "quick meeting." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with disabilities.

"tone deaf" | instead use: "unenlightened." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with disabilities.

"walk-in" | instead use: "drop-in, open office." Context: Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with disabilities.

"wheelchair bound" | instead use: "person who uses a wheelchair." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics. Also, users of wheelchairs often find them to be an essential tool for their freedom instead of thinking of them as a prison.

Ageism

Ageist language singles out a person based on their age instead of their qualifications

"gray beard" | instead use: "the person's name." Context: It calls out an older, and presumably more experienced, IT or cybersecurity person by referring to their age instead of their name.

"senile" | instead use: "person suffering from senility." Context: This term is often used disparagingly to refer to older people whose mental faculties appear to be in decline.

Colonialism

Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. It is better to avoid terms that derive from colonialism.

"Philippine Islands" | instead use: "Philippines or the Republic of the Philippines." Context: The term is politically incorrect and denotes colonialism. Some people of Filipino heritage might use the term, though.

Culturally Appropriative

Culturally appropriative language misuses terms that hold meaning to a particular culture in a way that often lacks respect or appreciation.

"Brave (n)" | instead use: "none/do not use." Context: This term perpetuates the stereotype of the "noble courageous savage," equating the Indigenous male as being less than a man.

"bury the hatchet" | instead use: "call for peace, call a truce." Context: Using this term is cultural appropriation of a centuries-old tradition among some North American Indigenous Peoples who buried their tools of war as a symbol of peace.

"chief" | instead use: "the person's name." Context: Calling a non-Indigenous person "chief" trivializes both the hereditary and elected chiefs in Indigenous communities. Calling an Indigenous person "chief" is a slur.

"Geronimo" | instead use: "none/only use when discussing the historical figure." Context: Geronimo was a famous leader and medicine man whose name is used today as a caricature of the brave warrior, often during "macho" pursuits.

"guru" | instead use: "expert, subject matter expert (SME), primary, leader, teacher, guide." Context: In the Buddhist and Hindu traditions, the word is a sign of respect. Using it casually negates its original value.

"low man on the totem pole" | instead use: "lacking seniority, don't have the power or prestige." Context: Trivializes something that is sacred to Indigenous peoples. Also, in some First Nation communities, being low on the totem pole is actually a higher honor than being on top. The term also reinforces male-dominated language.

"on the warpath" | instead use: "mad, on the offensive." Context: Cultural appropriation of a term that referred to the route taken by Indigenous people heading toward a battle with an enemy.

"Pocahontas" | instead use: "the person's name." Context: This is a slur and should not be used to address an Indigenous woman unless that is her actual name.

"pow wow, powwow (verb)" | instead use: "meet, get together." Context: Using this term in this manner demeans a term of cultural significance to Indigenous peoples.

"spirit animal" | instead use: "favorite animal, animal I most admire or would like to be." Context: The term refers to an animal spirit that guides/protects one on a journey, so to equate it with an animal one likes is to demean the significance of the term.

"too many chiefs, not enough indians" | instead use: "a lack of clear direction, too many competing ideas." Context: Trivializes the structure of Indigenous communities.

"tribal knowledge" | instead use: "institutional knowledge." Context: This term trivializes the ancestral knowledge handed down through generations of Indigenous peoples.

"tribe" | instead use: "friends, network, family, support system." Context: Historically used to equate Indigenous people with savages.

"Gender-Based" | instead use: "." Context:

"Gender-based language includes a range of words and phrases that are not helpful, and, in many cases, are exclusionary. Some people may not mind having the term(s) applied to them or even prefer having the term used. It's always preferable to ask a person how they want to be addressed instead of making assumptions." | instead use: "." Context:

"‘preferred’ pronouns" | instead use: "pronouns." Context: The word "preferred" suggests that non-binary gender identity is a choice and a preference.

"balls to the wall" | instead use: "accelerate efforts." Context: Attributes personality traits to anatomy.

"ballsy" | instead use: "bold, risk-taker." Context: Attributes personality traits to anatomy.

"chairman/chairwoman" | instead use: "chairperson, chair." Context: Lumps a group of people using gender binary language, which doesn't include everyone.

"congressman/congresswoman" | instead use: "congressperson, legislator." Context: Lumps a group of people using gender binary language, which doesn't include everyone.

"fireman/firemen" | instead use: "firefighter(s)." Context: Lumps a group of people using masculine language and/or into gender binary groups, which don't include everyone.

"freshman" | instead use: "frosh, first-year student." Context: Lumps a group of students using masculine language and/or into gender binary groups that don't include everyone.

"gentlemen" | instead use: "everyone." Context: Lumps a group of people using masculine language and/or into gender binary groups, which don't include everyone.

"guys" | instead use: "folks, people, everyone." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"have the balls to" | instead use: "bold, risk-taker." Context: Attributes personality traits to anatomy.

"he" | instead use: "person's name or "they"." Context: Unless you know the person you're addressing uses "he" as their pronoun, it is better to use "they" or to ask the person which pronouns they use.

"hermaphrodite (referring to a person)" | instead use: "intersex person." Context: This term has historically been used as a slur against LGBTQ+ people.

"ladies" | instead use: "everyone." Context: Lumps a group of people using gender binary language that doesn't include everyone.

"landlord/landlady" | instead use: "property owner." Context: Lumps a group of people using gender binary language, which doesn't include everyone.

"mailman" | instead use: "mail person, postal carrier, letter carrier." Context: Lumps a group of public servants using masculine language and/or into gender binary groups, which don't include everyone.

"man (verb)" | instead use: "staff." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"man hours" | instead use: "person hours, effort hours, labor time." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"man-in-the-middle" | instead use: "person-in-the-middle." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"mankind" | instead use: "people, humankind, human beings." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"manmade" | instead use: "made by hand." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"manpower" | instead use: "workforce, staffing, staff resources, personnel resources." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"policeman / policemen / policewoman / policewomen" | instead use: "police officer(s)." Context: Lumps a group of people using gender binary language, which doesn't include everyone.

"seminal" | instead use: "leading, groundbreaking." Context: This term reinforces male-dominated language.

"she" | instead use: "person's name or "they"." Context: Unless you know the person you're addressing uses "she" as their pronoun, it is better to use "they" or to ask the person which pronouns they use.

"shemale" | instead use: "transgender woman, trans woman." Context: This slur is often used disparagingly to refer to people who don't conform to gender expectations. Some in the community do identify with and self-describe as the term, though.

"tranny, trannie" | instead use: "transgender person, trans or non-gendering conforming folk." Context: This slur is often used disparagingly to refer to people who don't conform to gender expectations. Some in the community do identify with and self-describe as the term, though.

"transgendered" | instead use: "transgender." Context: This term avoids connections that being transgender is something that is done to a person and/or that some kind of transition is required.

"transsexual (unless used medically)" | instead use: "transgender person, trans or non-gendering conforming folk." Context: This term has historically been used as a slur against LGBTQ+ people. Some in the community do identify with and self-describe as the term, though.

"you guys" | instead use: "folks, people, everyone." Context: Lumps a group of people using masculine language and/or into gender binary groups, which don't include everyone.

Imprecise Language

Imprecise language is terms that utilize euphemisms, vagueness, or inaccurate words to not say what one is trying to say

"abort" | instead use: "cancel/end." Context: This term can unintentionally raise religious/moral concerns over abortion.

"American" | instead use: "US Citizen." Context: This term often refers to people from the United States only, thereby insinuating that the US is the most important country in the Americas (which is actually made up of 42 countries).

"child prostitute" | instead use: "child who has been trafficked." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"circle the wagons" | instead use: "take a defensive position." Context: Hollywood movies about settlers migrating west contributed greatly to the formation of this phrase, which means that "savages" are coming and a group of (White) people is about to be attacked. It also paints Indigenous Peoples as the aggressors.

"half-breed" | instead use: "person of multiple ethnicities." Context: This term is generally considered to be a slur against those of mixed race. Some in the community do identify with and self-describe as the term, though.

"Hispanic" | instead use: "Latinx, use country of origin." Context: Although widely used to describe people from Spanish-speaking countries outside of Spain, its roots lie in Spain's colonization of South American countries. Instead of referring to someone as Hispanic because of their name or appearance, ask them how they identify themselves first.

"Indian giver" | instead use: "person who takes something back that was given, one who expects an equivalent gift in return for one that was given." Context: This term likely derives from misunderstandings about trade customs in early relationships between Indigenous people and White settlers. It is a slur that should not be used to describe anyone.

"Indian summer" | instead use: "late summer." Context: This term infers that Indigenous people are chronically late. While it may be innocently used to describe a beautiful time of year, it could have an unintended negative impact on those who hear it.

"Karen" | instead use: "demanding or entitled White woman." Context: This term is used to ridicule or demean a certain group of people based on their behaviors.

"Oriental" | instead use: "person of Asian descent. Better yet, use the specific cultural heritage (Chinese, Japanese, etc.) if known.." Context: This term is seen as pejorative as it racializes people of Asian descent as forever opposite "others." (Occidental vs Oriental)

"peanut gallery" | instead use: "audience, hecklers or critics." Context: This term refers to the cheapest and worst section in theaters where many Black people sat during the Vaudeville era.

"people of color (used generically)" | instead use: "BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)." Context: If speaking about a specific group, name that group.

"straight" | instead use: "heterosexual." Context: This term implies that anyone who is not heterosexual is bent or not "normal."

"stupid" | instead use: "boring, uncool." Context: Once used to describe a person who could not speak and implied the person was incapable of expressing themselves.

"survivor" | instead use: "person who has experienced..., person who has been impacted by...." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their experiences. If the person identifies with the term, then use it.

"tarbaby" | instead use: "difficult problem." Context: This is a dismissive term for a Black person.

"thug" | instead use: "suspect or criminal." Context: Although the term refers to a violent person or criminal, it often takes on a racist connotation when used in certain circles.

"user" | instead use: "client." Context: While often associated with one who uses (software, systems, services), it can also negatively be associated with those who suffer from substance abuse issues or those who exploit others for their own gain.

"victim" | instead use: "person who has experienced..., person who has been impacted by...." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their experiences. If the person identifies with the term, then use it.

Institutionalized Racism

Institutionalized Racism is racism that is embedded in the laws and regulations of a society or an organization. It can be seen in processes, attitudes, and behavior through prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness, and racist stereotyping.

"barrio" | instead use: "specific name of neighborhood." Context: The term indicates any socially segregated non-white neighborhood.

"black hat" | instead use: "malicious, criminal, unethical hacker." Context: Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term.

"black mark" | instead use: "something that is held against one." Context: Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term.

"black sheep (referring to a person)" | instead use: "outcast." Context: Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term.

"blackballed" | instead use: "banned, denied." Context: Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term.

"blackbox" | instead use: "hidden, mystery box, opaque box, flight recorder." Context: Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term.

"blacklist/blacklisted" | instead use: "denylist/disallowed." Context: Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term.

"brown bag" | instead use: "lunch and learn, tech talk." Context: Historically associated with the "brown paper bag test" that certain Black sororities and fraternities used to judge skin color. Those whose skin color was darker than the brown bag were not allowed to join.

"cakewalk" | instead use: "easy, simple." Context: Enslaved people covertly used exaggerated dance to mock their enslavers. This turned into "balls" that the White enslavers would hold for entertainment where the prize was a cake.

"gangbusters" | instead use: "very successful." Context: Unnecessarily invokes the notion of police action against "gangs" in a positive light, which may have racial undertones.

"ghetto" | instead use: "use neighborhood's name." Context: The term indicates any socially segregated non-white neighborhood.

"grandfather" | instead use: "legacy." Context: This term has its roots in the "grandfather clause" adopted by Southern states to deny voting rights to Blacks.

"grandfathered" | instead use: "legacy status." Context: This term has its roots in the "grandfather clause" adopted by Southern states to deny voting rights to Blacks.

"gray hat hacker" | instead use: "hacktivist." Context: Hacker who exploits a weakness in cyber defense to bring the weakness to the attention of the owner, with the goal of improving security. This term combines black hat and white hat, which both hold racial connotations.

"master (adj)" | instead use: "primary, main." Context: Historically, masters enslaved people, didn't consider them human and didn't allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided.

"master (v)" | instead use: "become adept in." Context: Historically, masters enslaved people, didn't consider them human and didn't allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided.

"master list" | instead use: "list of record, canonical list." Context: Historically, masters enslaved people, didn't consider them human and didn't allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided.

"red team" | instead use: "cyber offense team." Context: "Red" is often used disparagingly to refer to Indigenous peoples, so its use in this context could be offensive to some groups.

"scalper/scalping (referring to sales or trade)" | instead use: "reseller/opportunist." Context: This term refers to the practice of removing a piece of an enemy's scalp with hair still attached. Although both colonizers and Indigenous Peoples performed the practice, it was used as proof of how savage the Natives were. Yet the colonizers were the ones who paid cash bounties for Native scalps, as has been documented in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"Scrum Master" | instead use: "agile lead, scrum leader." Context: Historically, masters enslaved people, didn't consider them human and didn't allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided.

"slave (adj)" | instead use: "secondary, replica, worker." Context: The historical context of this term involved oppression of a group of people who were enslaved, thought of as less than human and unable to exercise free will.

"slave labor" | instead use: "unfair work practices, underpaid, overworked." Context: References a time when enslavement of people (in particular Black Americans) was allowed.

"sold down the river" | instead use: "betrayed." Context: This term originally referred to a person who was enslaved who was sold as punishment.

"tarball" | instead use: "tar archive." Context: While the term refers to an archive that has been created with the tar command, it can be negatively associated with the pejorative term tarbaby.

"to call a spade a spade/ calling a spade a spade" | instead use: "to call something what it is / calling something what it is." Context: Although the term has its origins in Greek literature, the subsequent negative connotations with the word "spade" means that the phrase should be used with caution or not at all.

"uppity" | instead use: "arrogant, stuck up." Context: Although the term originated in the Black community to describe another Black person who didn't know their socioeconomic place, it was quickly adopted by White Supremacists to describe any Black person who didn't act as "expected."

"webmaster, web master" | instead use: "web product owner." Context: Historically, masters enslaved people, didn't consider them human and didn't allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided.

"white hat hacker" | instead use: "ethical hacker." Context: Assigns value connotations based on color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized.

"white paper" | instead use: "position paper." Context: Assigns value connotations based on color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized.

"white team" | instead use: "cyber exercise cell." Context: Assigns value connotations based on color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized.

"whitebox" | instead use: "visible, clear box." Context: Assigns value connotations based on color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized.

"whitelist" | instead use: "allowlist." Context: Assigns value connotations based on color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized.

"whitespace" | instead use: "empty space." Context: Assigns value connotations based on color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized.

"yellow team" | instead use: "DevSecOps team." Context: "Yellow" is often used disparagingly against people of Asian descent.

Person-First

The use of person-first language helps everyone to resist defining others by a single characteristic or experience if that person doesn't wish to be defined that way. Some people may not mind having the term(s) applied to them or may even prefer having them used. It's always preferable to ask a person how they want to be addressed instead of making assumptions.

"convict" | instead use: "person who is/was incarcerated." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"disabled person" | instead use: "person with a disability." Context: "Disabled person" implies that the disability defines a person, whereas "Person with a disability" gives the ownership of the disability to the person.

"homeless person" | instead use: "person without housing." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"immigrant" | instead use: "person who has immigrated, non-citizen." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"prisoner" | instead use: "person who is/was incarcerated." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

"prostitute (n)" | instead use: "person who engages in sex work." Context: Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of their characteristics.

Violent

Violent language is often used casually and without ill intent. It often involves imagery that may be upsetting to the recipient of such language though. We recommend using non-violent alternatives whenever possible.

"abusive relationship" | instead use: "relationship with an abusive person." Context: The relationship doesn't commit abuse. A person does, so it is important to make that fact clear.

"beat(ing) a dead horse" | instead use: "refus(e/ing) to let something go." Context: This expression normalizes violence against animals.

"crack the whip" | instead use: "double down, work hard(er),come down hard." Context: Unnecessary use of violent imagery that paints the person being referred to as authoritarian or oppressive.

"go off the reservation" | instead use: "disagree with the group, defect from the group, go rogue, not think or function properly." Context: This phrase is rooted in the violent removal of Indigenous people from their land and the horrible consequences for an Indigenous person who left the reservation. This phrase could also fit under the Cultural Appropriation category.

"kill(ing) two birds with one stone" | instead use: "accomplish(ing) two things at once." Context: This expression normalizes violence against animals.

"killing it, killed it" | instead use: "doing a great job, did a great job." Context: Doing a good job should not be equated with death. The term could also be triggering if someone close to the recipient actually was killed.

"more than one way to skin a cat" | instead use: "multiple ways to accomplish the task." Context: This expression normalizes violence against animals.

"pull the trigger" | instead use: "give it a go, try." Context: Unnecessarily uses violent imagery to encourage another person to do something.

"rule of thumb" | instead use: "standard rule, general rule." Context: Although no written record exists today, this phrase is attributed to an old British law that allowed men to beat their wives with sticks no wider than their thumb.

"take a shot at, take your best shot at, take a stab at" | instead use: "give it a go, try." Context: These terms represent the unnecessary use of the imagery of hurting someone or something.

"trigger warning" | instead use: "content note." Context: The phrase can cause stress about what's to follow. Additionally, one can never know what may or may not trigger a particular person.

"war room" | instead use: "situation room." Context: Unneccesary use of violent language.

"whipped into shape" | instead use: "organized, put in order." Context: The phrase has its roots in the punishment of enslaved people to get them to follow the rules.

"wife beater (t-shirt)" | instead use: "white ribbed tank top, tank, undershirt." Context: This phrase trivializes domestic violence by associating it with a piece of clothing.

Additional Considerations

These are terms that don't fit into the other categories but still are important enough to have attention drawn to them.

"African-American" | instead use: "Black." Context: Black people who were born in the United States can interpret hyphenating their identity as "othering." As with many of the terms we're highlighting, some people do prefer to use/be addressed by this term, so it's best to ask a person which term they prefer to have used when addressing them. When used to refer to a person, the "b" should always be capitalized.

"circle the wagons" | instead use: "marshall forces, gather together." Context: This phrase suggests an impending attack by the "savages" and should be avoided.

"gip (n)" | instead use: "Romani (if referring to a person of Romani descent) or cheat (if referring to someone who is dishonest)." Context: This term is derived from "gypsy" and relates to the stereotype that Romani people are swindlers.

"gip (v)" | instead use: "cheat (if referring to what a dishonest person has done)." Context: This term is derived from "gypsy" and relates to the stereotype that Romani people are swindlers.

"gyp (v), gypped (v)" | instead use: "to cheat (someone out of something), cheated/ripped off." Context: These terms are derived from "gypsy" and relate to the stereotype that Romani people are swindlers.

"hick" | instead use: "uneducated or unsophisicated person." Context: This term assumes that those who come from rural environments are uneducated and/or unsophisticated.

"hillbilly" | instead use: "person from the Appalachian or Ozark regions of the US." Context: This is a derogatory term for someone based on the region in which they live or were born.

"hip-hip hurray, hip hip hooray" | instead use: "hooray." Context: This term was used by German citizens during the Holocaust as a rallying cry when they would hunt down Jewish citizens living in segregated neighborhoods.

"hold down the fort" | instead use: "cover the role." Context: This phrase stems from settlers and soldiers resisting "savages" when "on the warpath."

"Jewed" | instead use: "haggled down." Context: This term is based on a stereotype that people of Jewish descent are cheap and/or hoard money.

"long time no see" | instead use: "I haven't seen you in so long!." Context: This phrase was originally used to mock Indigenous peoples and Chinese who spoke pidgin English.

"no can do" | instead use: "I can't do it." Context: Originated from stereotypes that mocked non-native English speakers.

"normal person" | instead use: "ordinary person, common person, conventional person." Context: This phrase results in the "othering" of non-White people and those who live with disabilities, mental illness or disease as not being whole or regular.

"prostitute (v)" | instead use: "debase." Context: Unnecessarily correlates corrupt or unworthy purposes with sex work.

"submit" | instead use: "process." Context: Depending on the context, the term can imply allowing others to have power over you.