I was taking a group of building service engineers through the 18th. We were discussing the use of Appendix 5. One chap was very exercised about the BA3 category which is described as utilization-capability-handicapped. He claims the latter word was exorcised from common parlance years ago and would be offensive to many. I am not that politically correct but maybe he has a valid argument,.
By all means change the word because others have changed the meaning around you. NOT because you honestly think those who put it there intended that. Unless you really meant to say you think they they did ?
As I said earlier, choice of language often tells you more about the age of the author, or maybe in this case the age of the original document from which it was copied.. Note we no longer talk about children's paintings being 'gay' to mean brightly coloured, for the same reason, it avoids misunderstanding with the newer meaning. I see the word 'rainbow' going the same way.
I nearly started this with post with Gadzooks, to make a point, and then wondered if the fundamentalists may object to my using that in a humerous context. I've decided to risk it.
By all means change the word because others have changed the meaning around you. NOT because you honestly think those who put it there intended that. Unless you really meant to say you think they they did ?
As I said earlier, choice of language often tells you more about the age of the author, or maybe in this case the age of the original document from which it was copied.. Note we no longer talk about children's paintings being 'gay' to mean brightly coloured, for the same reason, it avoids misunderstanding with the newer meaning. I see the word 'rainbow' going the same way.
I nearly started this with post with Gadzooks, to make a point, and then wondered if the fundamentalists may object to my using that in a humerous context. I've decided to risk it.
