Should We All Now Cease To Use The 'g' Word, Because It Is Deemed Sexist And Could Cause Offence, According To The Bbc?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10854915/BBC-in-censorship-row-after-the-word-girl-is-cut-from-documentary.html

/// A BBC spokeswoman said the unedited version of the documentary was broadcast soon after being filmed because the baton's tour was treated as a news event. ///

/// She added: “They had more time to edit it the second time. Mark didn't mean to cause offence. But the word 'girl' was taken out just in case it did.” ///

[anotheoldgit]

'Girl's night out', 'Girl's Talk', 'Girl's Brigade'............ anyone offended yet?

[baza]

^^^ large blouse belonging to a member of the opposite gender?
The Sun, persons not of male gender with no clothes on the top half.

[sandyRoe]

I think in cases such as this context is everything.

[anotheoldgit]

sandyRoe

/// Their days are numbered once Labour get back into office. ///

More unemployment under a Labour government then?

[Svejk]

ukip'll give them girls.

[whiskeryron]

When you are out & about keep your mouth tightly closed, if you speak or utter a word you are bound to upset somebody.

[anneasquith]

GIRLS GIRLS, ( sue me ) :)

[wolf63]

Does that mean that footballers will no longer be accused of playing like girls?
Is my girl cat really a girl cat or should she be called a lady cat or a Queen?
Ball boys/girls are Wimbledon - are they to be renamed.

My posties used to call me love/darling/sweetheart until they were told that was sexist. Then one of them started calling me 'mate' but they were told not to use that either. It doesn't matter now as the postie arrives so late that I never see him or her (these days there are no postmen or post ladies - just posties.


?

[pixie373]

Aog, i don't think "page 3 girls" is a fine example of how the word isn't sexist...
I don't see it as sexist, but it's often patronising (as with "boys"). People can use whichever words they want for themselves and friends. For formal occasions, such as News or other broadcasts- "girls" or "boys" are always under 18. Otherwise, they are men or women. While i think"offensive" is a bit strong- that's accurate and appropriate.

[anotheoldgit]

pixie 373

/// For formal occasions, such as News or other broadcasts- "girls" or "boys" are always under 18. ///

Blimey all these are under 18?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asZ9cK9xR20

[pixie373]

If you watch a BBC News broadcast , anyone of 18 or over is described as a man or woman. I think that's most appropriate for public or formal reports.

[pixie373]

Oh, sorry. Your video's only just loaded. No idea how old they are. It's just inaccurate to use a word describing a child for an adult. Not offensive, just odd.

[anotheoldgit]

pixie373

/// It's just inaccurate to use a word describing a child for an adult. Not offensive, just odd. ///

Of course it would be, but that is not what's under discussion, what is though is calling an adult a boy or a girl.

[anotheoldgit]

Does a 'BOY Racer' suddenly become an 'Adult Racer' on becoming 18?

[pixie373]

That's exactly what I'm saying, isn't it?

[whiskeryron]

Our Postie likes a toastie
I give it to him fried
He popped in here yesterday
I swear I nearly died

He had his hat on backwards
The front was at the back
I wish he'd wear it propper, like
He's really getting slack

I'll not bother to report him
The PCs will have a ball
To call him He or She
No probs to me at all

But certain words these days
Are banned by all but me
I'm going to write a book of them
For all the world to see

I'll shout the words out loudly
I've got it all well planned
I'll make sure I get my own back
For all the words they've banned

I'm going to talk to 'women'
And call them 'Girls'for spite
I'm not bothered how I say things
I just hope I get it right

[anotheoldgit]

pixie373

/// That's exactly what I'm saying, isn't it? ///

Hey I am not being confrontational, but no it is not what you said, you actually said

/// "It's just inaccurate to use a word describing a child for an adult. Not offensive, just odd". ///

To which I replied

" Of course it would be, but that is not what's under discussion, what is though is calling an adult a boy or a girl".

You mentioned "describing a child for an adult" when the subject matter was regarding describing an adult as a child, a significant difference don't you agree?

[pixie373]

Exactly the same as far as i can see- describing an adult as a child. I honestly can't see any difference between my sentence and yours. I'm only talking about professional occasions, btw. I've used "girls' night" on here myself. I just think you have to be more careful when your career is public broadcasting.

[Brenden]

Brilliant wiskeryron. I was reported by a Jamacian girl once for calling her a "good girl" (which I might add most cockneys use this phrase) she accused me of patronising her, I was rapped over the knuckles and told it was not PC and could be dismissed for it - talk about treading on eggshells - my response to this was to ignore her completely only replying when spoken to and in as few a words as necessary. Could write a book on the stupidity of PC.

[andy-hughes]

I'm with sandyRoe on this one - it's about context.

I this instance, the reporter was using the word 'girl' in a mildy derogatory term, in order to make sense of his comment, he cold have referred to her as a 'girly' to have the same effect.

Calling a young woman a 'girl' is a matter of time and place, and knowledge of the lady in question - if you are not sure, go with lady or woman.

The BBC has to be the arbiter of acceptability in its own broadcasts, and on this occasion they erred on the side of caution - quite correctly.

Another non-story on a slow news day.