Ever notice how some everyday phrases suddenly sound different these days? As our world changes, so does our language. Words and sayings we’ve used for years are now getting a second look. Some people call this being “woke.” But it’s about being aware of social issues and how our words might affect others.
In this article, I’ll introduce 21 common expressions that are now seen through a new lens. Some might surprise you, and others might make you think twice about what you’re really saying.
“Man up”
This phrase is often used to tell someone to be tough or brave. But some people say it’s not fair because it suggests only men can be strong. It might make women feel left out or make men feel bad if they show emotions. Some suggest using “toughen up” or “be brave” instead, as these work for everyone.
“That’s crazy”
We often use this to describe something unusual or surprising. However, some people point out that it might be hurtful to those with mental health issues. They say it makes light of serious conditions. Instead, you could say, “That’s wild” or “That’s unexpected” to express surprise without potentially offending anyone.
“Guys” (when addressing a group)
Many people use “guys” to talk to any group, even if it includes women. But some say this isn’t fair because it makes women invisible in the group. They suggest using words like “everyone,” “folks,” or “team” to include all genders. It’s a small change that can make everyone feel seen.
“Handicapped”
This word is often used for people with disabilities, but many in the disability community don’t like it. They say it focuses too much on what a person can’t do. “Person with a disability” or “disabled person” are often preferred because they put the person first, not their condition.
“Grandfathered in”
This term is used when old rules apply to some people, even after new rules are made. But it has a dark history tied to laws that kept Black people from voting. Some suggest using “legacy” or “exempt” instead to avoid this connection to racist policies.
“Hysterical”
We often use this to describe something very funny or someone who’s really upset. But it comes from old ideas that women were emotionally unstable. Some people say it’s sexist. You could use words like “hilarious” for funny things or “very upset” for strong emotions instead.
“Gypsy”
This word is often used to describe a free-spirited person who travels a lot. But it’s actually a slur against Romani people. Many Romani find it offensive. If you’re talking about someone who loves to travel, you could say “nomad” or “wanderer” instead.
“Lame”
People often use this to mean something is boring or uncool. But it originally referred to people who couldn’t walk well. Some say using it as a negative term is hurtful to people with disabilities. You could use words like “boring” or “weak” to get your point across without potentially offending anyone.
“Spirit animal”
This phrase is often used casually to describe something you really like. But it comes from important spiritual beliefs in some Native American cultures. Using it just for fun can seem disrespectful. You could say something is your “favorite” or you “really relate to it” instead.
“Blacklist” and “Whitelist”
These terms are used in technology and other fields to mean banned or allowed. But some people say they reinforce the idea that black is bad and white is good. This could support racist thinking. Some companies now use “blocklist” and “allowlist” to avoid this problem.
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“Peanut gallery”
This phrase is used to describe people who criticize from the sidelines. But it comes from the cheapest, worst seats in old theaters, where poor people and often Black people had to sit. Some say it has racist roots and shouldn’t be used. You could say “critics” or “hecklers” instead.
“Tone deaf”
This is often used to describe someone who doesn’t understand a situation well. But it originally meant someone who can’t distinguish musical tones. Some say it’s ableist because it uses a real condition as an insult. You could say “insensitive” or “unaware” to get the same idea across.
“Eskimo”
This term is often used for indigenous people of the Arctic. But many of these people find it offensive. It’s not what they call themselves, and it might have been used as an insult in the past. It’s better to use specific names like Inuit or Yupik or say “Arctic indigenous peoples” if you’re not sure.
“Ghetto”
This word is often used to describe something cheap or low-quality. But it has a long, painful history tied to the forced segregation of Jewish people and poor urban areas. Using it casually ignores this serious history. It’s better to just describe what you mean directly, like “cheap” or “run-down.”
“Indian giver”
This phrase is used when someone gives something and then wants it back. But it’s based on harmful stereotypes about Native Americans. Many people say it’s racist and shouldn’t be used. Instead, you could just say someone is “taking back” what they gave.
“Gypped”
People use this to mean they were cheated or tricked. But it comes from “gypsy,” which is a slur against Romani people. It spreads the harmful idea that Romani people are dishonest. You could say “cheated” or “swindled” instead to avoid using this hurtful term.
“Illegal alien”
This term is used in some official contexts for people in a country without proper papers. But many say it’s dehumanizing because it makes people sound like they’re not human. “Undocumented immigrant” or “unauthorized immigrant” are seen as more respectful ways to talk about this issue.
“Elderly”
While not always offensive, some older people don’t like being called “elderly” because it can sound fragile or helpless. They prefer terms like “older adult” or “senior.” It’s often best to just use a person’s name or refer to their specific age group, like “people over 65.”
“No can do”
This phrase is used to say you can’t do something. But it comes from making fun of Chinese people speaking broken English. Some say it’s a form of racist mockery. You could just say, “I can’t do that,” or “That’s not possible,” to avoid any potential offense.
“Long time no see”
We use this friendly greeting when we haven’t seen someone in a while. But like “no can do,” it comes from mocking Chinese speakers learning English. Some people say we should avoid it for this reason. You could say, “It’s been a while” or “Good to see you after so long” instead.
“Sold down the river”
This phrase means to be betrayed. But it comes from the terrible practice of selling enslaved people from northern states to southern plantations, which often had worse conditions. Using it casually ignores this painful history. You could just say “betrayed” or “let down” to express the same idea without the historical baggage.
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