“Manned” to be banned by Chichester Council

Gavin Melville
Member - 6 posts

I agree. Oxford Wordfinder gives 14 versions of man used as a noun and 5 as a verb many of which do not refer to the male sex. Imagine trying to change words like mankind, Renaissance Man, Piltdown Man, clergyman, Dutchman and phrases like 'man the pumps', 'have not caught their man'. I enjoy this one: 'manned herself for the task'

Damon Rowley
Member - 2 posts

I personally do not see why the use of such terms as "manned" are an issue. The word "man" refers not only to gender but is also to our speci in a non gender specific way. There is no reason why "manned" should be assumed only to refer to a position occupied only by a male. As a non gender sprific gneral term for people it is not discriminatory.

I cannot see a legitimate reason for any person to be offended by such a term unless they actively chose to be offended by it.

I am not anti PC. I would support any move to prevent exclusive or derogatory references to people of any gender, race, religious belief, disability or sexual preference, but this clearly doesn't fall into any of those category.

Perhaps someone at Chichester DC should have got their dictionary out before writing this report.

Kevin Brown
Member - 110 posts

However, speaking from a historical perspective I can discuss (without fear of contradiction), the manned moon landings because they, well, were. In contrast, any proposals in the future to send missions further afield will need to be referred to as 'personned' as they may involve either gender or both?
I for one would like to know how much time and effort went into this pronouncement, presumably made by duly elected officials, operating under public mandate to deliver promises made in their manifesto.
(OK, I couldn't resist it - persondate and personifesto).
I look forward to stories like this, it confirms my innate sense of superiority over spin doctors and reinforces my jaundiced view that instead of gazing out into the cosmos we should really be looking for intelligent life on earth.

Craig Stuart
Member - 106 posts

Your search may be a fruitless one Kevin!