Tuesday, February 22, 2011

March 1976: More Examples of Sexist and Nonsexist Alternatives


March 1976: More Examples of Sexist and Nonsexist Alternatives

Sexist: Running for Student Council president are Bill Smith, a straight-A sophomore and Kathie Ryan, a pert junior.
Alternative: Running for Student Council president are Bill Smith, a straight-A sophomore, and newspaper editor Kathie Ryan, a junior.

Sexist: Senator Percy and Mrs. Chisholm
Alternative: Charles Percy and Shirley Chisholm or Mr. Percy and Mrs. Chisholm or Senator Percy and Representative Chisholm.

Sexist: girl Friday
Alternative: assistant

Sexist: I’ll have my girl do it
Alternative: I’ll have my secretary do it.

Sexist: career girl
Alternative: Name the woman’s profession, e.g., attorney Ellen Smith

Sexist: ladies
Alternative: “women” unless paired with “gentlemen.”

Sexist: libber
Alternative: feminist

Sexist: coed
Alternative: student

Sexist: authoress, poetess
Alternative: author, poet

Sexist: man-sized job
Alternative: big or enormous job

Sexist: old wives’ tale
Alternative: superstitious belief, story or idea

Title: “For the Members.” Prepared by Headquarters Staff of NCTE. English Journal (March 1976), pp. 23-26.

Next blog: And still more examples of sexist and nonsexist expressions.

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