SIR - BBC reporter Katya Adla was ridiculed by Radio 4 listeners on November 17 for saying "fisherpeople" instead of fishermen on the Today Programme. Even though almost all of them are men.
I also note that in some bakeries, you are not allowed to say gingerbread man, but should say gingerbread person.
It is interesting that when a term is negative, eg conman, schoolboy error, or man-flu, it's still acceptable to use the word man or boy.
Instead of repeating myself like a demented parrot, I'll let your readers take from this what they will. And just add that this is partly the subject of a book I'm now writing entitled Man-Flu over the Cuckoo's Nest: The insanity of political correctness in the 21 century.
I'm hoping to have it published in 2021.
Alan Bates, Bowland Avenue, Baildon
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel