EU calls for gendered language to be banned

The EU has called for 'gendered language' such as 'no man's land' and 'Joe Public' to be axed.

A 61-page document advises policymakers, legislators and the media to revise the order of common phrases such as 'King and Queen' or 'brother and sister' in which the male comes first.

It suggests to 'try swapping the order of these phrases sometimes'.

Bureaucrats say 'Joe Public' should be replaced with 'average citizen' and 'no man's land' should be substituted with 'unclaimed territory'.

The 'Toolkit on Gender-sensitive Communication' document compiled by the The European Institute for Gender Equality highlights language that needs to be changed and notes alternatives.

It adds that terms such as 'shrill' and 'pushy' have 'strong connotations that are strongly associated with only women' and should be replaced with 'high-pitched' and 'assertive' respectively.

It says that 'virile', considered 'strongly associated with only men', should be substituted with 'strong or energetic'.

The famous Star Trek line, 'To boldly go where no man has gone before', is noted in the bundle as an example for which 'women may be subject to invisibility or omission'.

Even though Britain officially left the EU in January 2020, English is still its official language.

'Gendered language' alternatives, according to the EU

Joe Public - Average citizen

No man's land - Unclaimed territory

King and Queen - Queen and King

Virile - Strong, energetic

Shrill - High pitched, grating voice

Bossy, pushy - Assertive

Best man for the job - Best candidate for the job

Master of ceremonies - Host

Repairman - Repairer, technician

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