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Subject:Re: Speaking of Improper Terminology From:Chris Hamilton <chamilton -at- GR -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 17 Sep 1997 16:43:15 -0500
David Knopf wrote:
>
> Surely THIS can't be news in Boulder! "Abort" has been on the no-no list
> since I started in technical writing, and let me tell you that was QUITE
> a while ago. We do not impoverish the language by writing "cancel"
> instead of "abort."
Yeah, but this would be offensive to (both) fans of Chevy Chase, whose
late night talk show was cancelled after 15 minutes or so. This thread
occurs like clockwork every six months or so under various titles:
master/slave, ebonics, etc., etc.
The fact of the matter is, it's impossible to never offend anyone. I
read today that the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association is
offended by the Taco Bell ad in which Shaquille O'Neal's neck freezes
sideways. (It was also rumored that Syracuse University basketball
players were offended by the humor in O'Neal's not being able to hit
foul shots, as they have a learning disability that prevents them from
sinking a foul shot themselves.)
All you can do is use your good judgement in determining what to use and
what not to use. I've subscribed to this list for more than two years
now and I think there are very few out-and-out racists on it. The
mistakes that are made are honest ones, and the line has to be drawn
someplace. Taco Bell, for instance, didn't pull its ads. I mean, if the
very word "slave" is offensive, how do we discuss slavery?
Flame me now. I have no asbestos underwear, but I'm tough as a rock and
twice as smart.
Chris
--
Chris Hamilton, Senior Technical Writer
Greenbrier & Russel
847.330.4146 http://www.gr.com
chamilton -at- gr -dot- com
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