Jottings
News from the UK and around the World
. . . the wild , the wacky , the wonderful , the weird and the downright infuriating
Woke Watch
The National Grid has banned the words “ manned ” and “ chairman ” as part of its move towards genderneutral language in order to “ convey respect to all people .” The ESO , National Grid ’ s electricity system operator for Great Britain , has replaced “ he ” and “ his ” with “ they ” and “ them ” when describing a noun that could refer to any gender .
“ Hi-de-Hi ” is the latest British sitcom to be slapped with a new “ trigger warning .” Viewers watching re-runs of the hugely popular 1980s show on Britbox now see a message warning that “ language and attitudes of the era that may offend .” Comments in response suggested that only “ the biggest snowflakes ” would find anything to be offended by in “ a particularly inoffensive comedy which used to keep millions of ordinary Britons in stitches on a Sunday night .”
Oxford University is reported to have changed the name of its Faculty of Oriental Studies over fears it could be offensive to ethnic minorities . They claim that the word “ oriental ” is viewed as a code word for “ of the East ,” perpetuates stereotypes and recalls British colonialism .
After an “ extensive ” two-year consultation with students and staff , it will now be known as the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies .
The former UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid promised a crackdown on “ woke ” terminology earlier this year , but it was revealed last month that it is still very much alive and well in the country ’ s National Health Service . The NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust has been advertising for staff this summer using the term “ birthing people ” instead of “ mothers ” which critics have called “ dehumanising ” and “ dangerous nonsense .”
Even the genteel readers of Simply Sewing magazine (“ Showing the way to sew with fabulous ideas in fabric ” - £ 9.99 at all good newsagents ) have been subjected to a woke-over . Contributors preferred pronouns are
24