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.