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Politically correct terminology

  • 05-10-2011 08:35PM
    #1
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,228 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I wonder what rules govern the evolution of politically correct terms.
    I most certainly do not want to offend anyone's sensibilities but it is necessary to use words which might offend in order to give examples.
    In the past, the term 'tinker' was perfectly acceptable. Now that is unacceptable. Similarly with 'handicapped', 'midget', 'mongoloid' etc.
    Will currently acceptable terms like 'traveller', 'special needs' etc. become politically incorrect at some point?

    When and why does a term change from being acceptable to unacceptable?


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