The "I just don't get it thread".

[Bijou Bob]

For all those unanswered questions in life.

Why is it more PC/socially acceptable to use "Sex worker" rather than prostitute??

[bobo the clown]

^^ coz the latter was the term used when it was seen as utterly unacceptable. The former conveys some form of legitimacy ... even inferring a profession. That they have choice & pay their taxes.

[Bijou Bob]

Yup, I get all that, but why 'Sex workers'. It's a horrible ter. Personal services assistant perhaps?

[Gary the Enfield]

Yup, I get all that, but why 'Sex workers'. It's a horrible ter. Personal services assistant perhaps?

You trying to get past a firewall?

[Montreal Wanderer]

Yup, I get all that, but why 'Sex workers'. It's a horrible ter. Personal services assistant perhaps?

Believe it or not, there is an Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work. They offer the following definition/distinction.

'Sex work' is a phrase created in the last 30 years to refer to sexual commerce of all kinds. Prostitution has varying definitions in different contexts. Some of these are based on the definition of prostitution in law, or what is illegal. Legal definitions change over time and place, leading to great confusion if one relies on one definition from the criminal code or one from the civil code, as they do not travel well. Despite the difficulty of terminology, prostitution as a sexual exchange for money or other valuables is the general definition of prostitution for this work. In that sense, the term 'sex work' is appropriate in its inclusivity.

'Sex work' was conceived as a nonstigmatizing term, without the taint of the words 'whore' and 'prostitute.' The point of the term was to convey the professionalism of the sex worker rather than her lack of worth as seen by much of society.

[Bijou Bob]

Ah right, so in theory, I can be proud of my status as a sex worker rather than being ashamed of being a prossie. If times get really hard that is.

[William the White]

Ah right, so in theory, I can be proud of my status as a sex worker rather than being ashamed of being a prossie. If times get really hard that is.

I always got the impression you were proud of being a prossie - and evading tax!

[Bruce Rioja]

Who decided, and when, that using the term "black" is acceptable whereas "coloured" isn't, and why?

[bobo the clown]

Who decided, and when, that using the term "black" is acceptable whereas "coloured" isn't, and why?

... and, what's more, to now get it "wrong" and use the word 'coloured' gets the proverbial ton of bricks come down upon you.

As a kid I'd NEVER have said "black" as that would have sounded properly rude.

[William the White]

Who decided, and when, that using the term "black" is acceptable whereas "coloured" isn't, and why?

... and, what's more, to now get it "wrong" and use the word 'coloured' gets the proverbial ton of bricks come down upon you.

As a kid I'd NEVER have said "black" as that would have sounded properly rude.

The social shift happened when - and because - black people in the US 'reclaimed' the language of racism. 'Black bastard' was an insult. 'Black Power' was an assertion and challenge.

And, you know, when did bobo decide he had permission to sound properly rude???

[Montreal Wanderer]

In Bolton in the 1950s and 1960s the pejorative term was not the "N" word or other Americanisms, but rather Darkie (Darkey?) as I remember.

While I think it is true that Colored (or Coloured) is not considered a politically correct term these days, it is said to be quite okay by the main lobby group for Black Americans, the NAACP. This of course stands for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

[bobo the clown]

Who decided, and when, that using the term "black" is acceptable whereas "coloured" isn't, and why?

... and, what's more, to now get it "wrong" and use the word 'coloured' gets the proverbial ton of bricks come down upon you.

As a kid I'd NEVER have said "black" as that would have sounded properly rude.

The social shift happened when - and because - black people in the US 'reclaimed' the language of racism. 'Black bastard' was an insult. 'Black Power' was an assertion and challenge.

And, you know, when did bobo decide he had permission to sound properly rude???

When bobo saw people's jobs & careers under threat for saying the wrong thing whether it was intended or not to be an insult.

As an absolute aside but a live example, only last year Mark Lawrenson on MotD used "coloured" for a black person and the roof came in on him. There's a real lack of tolerance in the people who demand tolerance, I find.

[LeverEnd]

The thing with coloured that causes offence is that it lumps all non-whites together. Except in South Africa where it means not white or black. And nobody gives a shit. I tend to find it's people claiming offence on behalf of others with stuff like that.

[thebish]

The distinction I have always found a bit obscure is the rejection of "coloured people" in favour of "people of colour".

[Beefheart]

I think the problem with the word coloured, at least in America, is that it was the word used in segregated places on bathrooms or water fountains etc. There does seem very little semantic difference between coloured people and people of coloured, but I guess it doesn't take that much more effort to say 'of' and call people what they want to be called.

Don't get me started on gender politics and the 50 or so genders we're now expected to recognise with the correct terminology and pronouns changing every 5 minutes.

[Gary the Enfield]

I don't get the proliferation of 'extra charges' nowadays.

Handling Fees.
Super extra fast delivery fees.
Insurance premium fees.

Airlines (Ryanair) are particularly bad.

Seat reservation/ allocation. Priority Boarding. Check in baggage.

This, on top of the premium I pay for having to fly during school holiday time, makes travelling prohibitively expensive.

Just what exactly does my flight ticket cover??!!!

[thebish]

I think the problem with the word coloured, at least in America, is that it was the word used in segregated places on bathrooms or water fountains etc. There does seem very little semantic difference between coloured people and people of coloured, but I guess it doesn't take that much more effort to say 'of' and call people what they want to be called.

aye - that sounds about right.. I have absolutely no issue or problem calling people what they prefer to be called - it's no skin off my nose - it's just basic politeness and human decency!

"Black" (as WtW pointed out) was a very powerful statement of regaining control over identity - much like "queer" was for the gay community in the 80s/90s - I got that much easier than the "people of colour" distinction...

the whole gender thing has been a steep learning curve for me... while my generation thinks it has moved beyond the race issue and the sexuality issue (well - neither of them gives me an issue) and thinks we have made it - along pops the next generation with 1000 gender distinctions for me to take account of! Fortunately I have a daughter who is MORE than willing to educate me at every opportunity! "Gender is in your head dad, not in your pants!" (as she is fond of reminding me! I have arrived in that category of old parent who tries hard but doesn't quite get it - much like I used to view my parents and they used to view theirs and they used to view theirs...

[Hoboh]

'Non White' would appear to be the answer here
Anyway I think the business with 'colours' is pointless, wankers come in all shades!

[thebish]

'Non White' would appear to be the answer here
Anyway I think the business with 'colours' is pointless, wankers come in all shades!

why define everyone by the colour "white"? you're either white or you're not??? I'm not sure that is the answer to a question that anyone is asking!!

[bobo the clown]

I have a daughter who is MORE than willing to educate me at every opportunity! "Gender is in your head dad, not in your pants!"

Genuine question here.

But is that, on the face of it witty & smart assertion actually correct ?

Sexuality is a mind based thing, albeit acted out via the pantage region, ... but your gender actually IS, precisely, in your pants ? (Partially gender-reassigned people being a complication to this otherwise straightforward point).