Comments on: Destroy all Taboo Words and their Euphemisms! http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60 A Blog about Words and Language(s) from alphaDictionary.com Tue, 21 May 2013 19:53:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.6 By: Jonathan Hammond http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60&cpage=1#comment-453551 Jonathan Hammond Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:21:58 +0000 http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60#comment-453551 A similar tale arose out the increased British military presence in the Falkland Islands following the 'war' in 1982. Officers were troubled by the fact that squaddies were referring to the locals as 'Bennys', after a simple-minded character in the British soap 'Crossroads'. This character habitually wore a woollen bobble hat, which was otherwise a deeply unfashionable item. The fact that similar hats were common on the islands helped make the name fit, but the implication was that the islanders were themselves simple-minded. And so the term term 'Benny' was banned. Shortly afterwards, officers became aware that squaddies were referring to islanders as 'Stills'. When asked why, came the reply, "Well, they're still Bennys, Sir." A similar tale arose out the increased British military presence in the Falkland Islands following the ‘war’ in 1982. Officers were troubled by the fact that squaddies were referring to the locals as ‘Bennys’, after a simple-minded character in the British soap ‘Crossroads’. This character habitually wore a woollen bobble hat, which was otherwise a deeply unfashionable item. The fact that similar hats were common on the islands helped make the name fit, but the implication was that the islanders were themselves simple-minded. And so the term term ‘Benny’ was banned.

Shortly afterwards, officers became aware that squaddies were referring to islanders as ‘Stills’. When asked why, came the reply, “Well, they’re still Bennys, Sir.”

]]> By: Dr. Goodword’s Language Blog » Blog Archive http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60&cpage=1#comment-224549 Dr. Goodword’s Language Blog » Blog Archive Sat, 01 Jan 2011 13:45:32 +0000 http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60#comment-224549 [...] the term “Indians” to refer to North American Indians. I am not concerned since I have mentioned before the futility of hoping that by changing the name of something, we will cure all problems associated [...] [...] the term “Indians” to refer to North American Indians. I am not concerned since I have mentioned before the futility of hoping that by changing the name of something, we will cure all problems associated [...]

]]> By: Dr. Goodword’s Language Blog » Blog Archive » Old and New Idiots http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60&cpage=1#comment-41367 Dr. Goodword’s Language Blog » Blog Archive » Old and New Idiots Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:05:54 +0000 http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60#comment-41367 [...] I can recall correcting my children when they referred to what we then called the mentally retarded, as retards. I was not the only one concerned, so the school system chose a euphemism, those requiring special education. Then I had to chide my children for referring to each other as speds. As I have mentioned before, taboo words are replaced by euphemisms which become taboo words which are replaced by taboo words which are replaced . . . ad infinitum. (Click here for more on the subject.) [...] [...] I can recall correcting my children when they referred to what we then called the mentally retarded, as retards. I was not the only one concerned, so the school system chose a euphemism, those requiring special education. Then I had to chide my children for referring to each other as speds. As I have mentioned before, taboo words are replaced by euphemisms which become taboo words which are replaced by taboo words which are replaced . . . ad infinitum. (Click here for more on the subject.) [...]

]]> By: Dr. Goodword’s Language Blog » Blog Archive » Another Losing Battle with Euphemisms http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60&cpage=1#comment-829 Dr. Goodword’s Language Blog » Blog Archive » Another Losing Battle with Euphemisms Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:02:32 +0000 http://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=60#comment-829 [...] Site Navigation Dictionaries  ››Language DictionariesSpecialty DictionariesVarious 'NymsGood Word  ››Today's Good WordGood Word ArchiveGood Word DictionarySign Up!PodcastsReference Shelf  ››Dr. GoodwordBest WordsGrammar and StyleRussian GrammarFun & Games  ››Fun & GamesCrosswordsLanguage FunLaughing StockServices  ››TranslationsTesting NetworkProducts  ››Custom-made DictionariesWord ListsAlpha Agora    Advertising Info     « Destroy all Taboo Words and their Euphemisms! [...] [...] Site Navigation Dictionaries  ››Language DictionariesSpecialty DictionariesVarious ‘NymsGood Word  ››Today’s Good WordGood Word ArchiveGood Word DictionarySign Up!PodcastsReference Shelf  ››Dr. GoodwordBest WordsGrammar and StyleRussian GrammarFun & Games  ››Fun & GamesCrosswordsLanguage FunLaughing StockServices  ››TranslationsTesting NetworkProducts  ››Custom-made DictionariesWord ListsAlpha Agora    Advertising Info     « Destroy all Taboo Words and their Euphemisms! [...]

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