Language
De-Coded
Adopt an inclusive vocabulary and promote others to accept, embrace & celebrate our differences.
CREATED BY THE
1) It reveals our unconscious biases.
2) It makes us internalize harmful biases.
3) It stigmatizes already marginalized people.Words matter
Language can largely influence us in three ways:
How to use this app
Scroll down to view words
Scroll right to view themes
(Ableism, Ageism, Hetereosexism, Racism, Sexism)
Ableism
Discrimination is favour of non-disabled people.
View next theme
View words
Able-bodied
The term able-bodied implies that people with disabilities don't have the ability to use their bodies.
Preferred term: Non-disabled
Ableism
Abnormal/Abnormality
"He's kind of abnormal, so I'm not sure he'd be a good fit."
Abnormal is used to refer to anything outside of societal norms. Abnormal can be used in some medical contexts, such as abnormal lab results, but should never be used to refer to an individual, or their physical/cognitive abilities.
Ableism
Afflicted/suffering with
Afflicted with implies that disability is a form of punishment or suffering.
Alternative: If describing an individual's diagnosis, use person-first language instead.
Ableism
Albino
People with albinism often have vision difficulties due to melanin role in optic nerve development.
Preferred term: There is debate whether albinism is a disability or not. However, many people in this community prefer the people-first term “person with albinism” rather than 'albino' given hateful historical use.
Ableism
Audism
|
Audism is discrimination against a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. Audism suggests individuals that can hear or behave similar to hearing people are superior, more capable, and more educated than a deaf, Deaf, or hard-of-hearing person. Audism can also target an individual's fluency in sign language or accent when speaking due to hearing loss. |
Ableism
Basket case
“He's such a lazy basket case.”
'Basket case' emerged during World War I to describe soldiers that had lost all four limbs. The basket refers to the basket that was used to carry soldiers around. Avoid using this term to describe people when they seem distracted.
Alternatives: Distracted, Annoying, Lazy
Ableism
Bound
|
Mobility equipment is part of a person’s personal space and promotes freedom, not restriction, of movement. Avoid using the term 'wheelchair-bound' Instead, use: person who uses a wheelchair, or wheelchair-user. |
Ableism
Cancer
“That video gave me cancer.”
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
Using this word to describe things you hate doesn’t make sense. It shouldn't be used in a derogatory manner.
Ableism
Crazy
|
Crazy has historically been used to refer to people with mental illnesses.
The term is now frequently used to describe people or situations; however, it should not be used to refer to people with disabilities, |
Ableism
Commit
We use the word commit when it comes to the act of carrying out a crime. The act of suicide is widely known to be the result of mental illness. Suicide is associated with unsuccessful treatments and hopelessness. The person who has died by suicide is not often remembered for how they lived, but rather how they died. Phrases such as “failed attempt” “successful” or “completed attempt” implies that suicide is a goal or project.
Alternative: Died by suicide
Ableism
Challenged
| Avoid describing people as 'physically challenged' or 'mentally challenged' as this limits people's abilities and is derogatory. |
Ableism
Cripple/Crip
Crip is related to words meant to creep or bend over. The term was used to describe people with disabilities and was considered derogatory.
Recently, some activists have reclaimed the word to empower the disability community; however, the term is still debatable. Avoid this term as a non-disabled person.
Alternatives: Physically challenged, Mobility impaired, Differently-abled.
Ableism
deaf vs. Deaf
deaf with a little d refers to individuals who medically do not hear or have lost hearing.
Deaf with a capital D refers to deaf individuals that participate in Deaf
culture, society, and community, with a basis in Sign Language.
Ableism
Derp, Derpy or Herp Derp
This may seem like a quirky phrase, but even before its inception as an internet meme, it has been consistently used to mock people with intellectual disabilities.
Alternatives: use words that actually make sense
Ableism
Dumb
“He’s so dumb, I don’t want him on my team.”
Dumb is a term historically used in conjunction with “deaf” ie. deaf and dumb. Formerly, people that could not hear were also thought to be unable to learn and formulate thoughts. Deaf and dumb; deaf-mute; and dumb are terms considered offensive to the Deaf community. Dumb is not an alternative for describing someone ridiculous or foolish.
Ableism
Eating Disorders
Each eating disorder has different characteristics, however overall all of them can lead to depression, obesity, suicide, or substance abuse.
Avoid making comments about people's weight, "You've gotten thin" or, "You've gained weight" as these may be an eating disorder manifesting itself. These comments can celebrate an individual's eating disorder rather than stopping to wonder what may be causing the weight loss or gain.
Ableism
Handicap
The term handicap was historically used to refer to people with disabilities as having a ‘cap in hand’. The term paints a negative image and focuses on charitable characteristics.
Alternatives: Avoid describing people as 'handicapped'. In reference to 'handicap bathrooms' or 'handicap parking', use the term 'accessible', i.e: accessible bathrooms and accessible parking.
Ableism
Hard of hearing vs.
Hearing impaired
Hard of hearing refers to individuals that use speech as main communication method and experiences hearing loss from mild to profound.
Hearing impaired is used to describe a medical condition and should be avoided when referring to individuals with hearing loss. Hearing impaired is often used to describe both the Deaf and hard of hearing communities which, therefore, does not recognize the uniqueness of each community.
Ableism
Higher vs. Lower
Functioning
Oftentimes, higher/lower functioning is used to describe people's abilities. People that appear less disabled are considered to be higher functioning.
The ableist dichotomy limits people's abilities and sets low expectations. Be specific about what people can do and avoid limiting people's abilities.
Ableism
Illness if not an adjective
ADHD, anorexic, bipolar, depressed, OCD and so much more are thrown around as adjectives.
Illnesses should not be used as adjectives. Language that presents illness as an adjective is stigmatizing and spreads false information on the illness and the community. The experience of people with an illness is reduced and can discourage people from being open about their experience.
Ableism
Imbecile, Moron, Idiot
These terms were used to describe intellectual disability in the late 19th and early 20th century. Based on IQ, imbecile was the middle ranking of the IQ scale, above idiot and below moron.
Language is continuously changing and shaping our world. It's entirely possible to step away from archaic terms.
Alternatives: Foolish, Incompetent
Ableism
Lame
The word lame has historically been used to describe physical disabilities. Most often, it refers to people's difficulty in walking and can therefore be offensive to people with other mobility difficulties.
Alternative: Lame is often used to describe unsatisfactory performances, objects, or interactions (ie. that movie was lame). Instead, try a word that more accurately describes your thoughts. Was the movie boring? Unoriginal?
Ableism
Midget
Midget is considered a derogatory slur in the dwarfism community. The word is often used to demean people of shorter than average stature and to humiliate. The dwarfism community finds the term offensive and dehumanizing.
Instead, try: person with dwarfism, little person, or person of short stature
Ableism
Mongoloid
Mongoloid refers to someone with intellectual disabilities and specifically Down Syndrome. This word derives from racism and ableism, from the belief that people with Down Syndrome look like people from Mongolia.
Ableism
Mute
Individuals that do not communicate verbally may still communicate nonverbally through picture exchange communication systems (PECS), sign language, or other forms. Mute is often used in relation to the Deaf community but is considered offensive and inaccurate. Mute means silent or without a voice. Deaf people have a voice and a primary mode of communication. The term non-verbal is used to describe individuals that do not verbally speak.
Ableism
Patient
The word patient should only be used in hospital and/or health care settings. Referring to someone as a patient outside of these settings is dehumanizing and inappropriate.
The word 'client' is often used in other settings like day programs 'residents' in long-term care facilities.
Ensure you call people by name as frequently as possible, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
Ableism
Person-first- language
Person-first language respectfully emphasizes an individual's name and humanity before a diagnosis.
Person-first language may include: people with disabilities, person with autism, etc. Some people dislike person-first language because the language may suggest the individual is separate from their disability; therefore, some people prefer: disabled, and or/autistic. A simple solution is to ask people what language they prefer.
Ableism
Retarded
Retarded stemmed from the medical condition of mental retardation to encompass what we now call, intellectual disability. In colloquial use, retard is used to insult and demean people, with or without disabilities. The use of the r-word stigmatizes and devalues people with disabilities.
Avoid describing people, with or without disabilities, as a retarded. Also avoid describing things or objects as retarded.
Ableism
Sick
An individual with a disability is not sick for having a disability. It cannot just go away like a cold.
Avoid describing people with diabilities as sick.
Ableism
Special needs
This is a term that has been widely used by education systems and therefore remains part of everyday language. The term is seen as patronizing and has been used to make fun of disabled people. Saying that someone has “special needs” raises more questions than it answers.
This term is only acceptable if it is a relevant detail to the story.
Ableism
View next theme
Ageism
Discrimination on the basis of a person's age.
View next theme
View words
Anti-aging
Ageism
This term glorifies the state of being “young” and preventing the state of growing older. We see this word most often in cosmetic media, advertisement, and products that promise a younger and brighter appearance while considering growing older as something that is undesirable or unwanted. With this word, an ideal life would be that of a young person who is physically attractive and does not show signs of aging.
This is an impossible standard to hold someone against and it is
discriminatory towards those who are of an older age.
Bed blockers
Bed blockers is a term used to refer to older persons in a hospital bed awaiting additional support or level of care.Usage of this term has often occurred when bouncing from home to hospital without proper rehabilitation.
Alternative: Patient
Ageism
Can't teach an old dog
new tricks
There is no age limit to learning a new skill or doing what one wants to do. Older people have a lot of experience with learning new things. Don't discredit or undermine someone simply due to their age.
Eliminate cross reference to animals. Using old as a negative identifier is not appropriate
Ageism
Cougar
“Damn, your aunt is such a cougar.”
Calling a woman a cougar is both sexist and ageist and neither progressive nor supportive of women.
Women are not animals, they are women.
Ageism
Crone /Hag /Geezer
These terms describe aging as a negative part of life.
Using old as a negative identifier is not appropriate.
Ageism
Dumb as a doornail / Blind as a bat
Ageism
Some hearing and vision loss is inevitable in the aging process. No person should be made out to feel ashamed for this process.
Alternatives: Vision loss, Hearing loss
Gerries
“The gerries always visit our store in the afternoon.”
Referring to seniors as gerries, which is short for Geriatrics, Gerontology, which is a field of study and not a label for an older person and is not acceptable.
Do not refer to people as fields of study.
Ageism
“Old”: Old fart, Old bag, Old dog / Old trout / Old fossil / Dirty old man
These terms describe aging as a negative part of life.
Using old as a negative identifier is not appropriate.
Ageism
Old timer
There is no age limit to learning a new skill or doing what one wants to do. Older people have a lot of experience with learning new things. Don't discredit or undermine someone simply due to their age.
Eliminate cross reference to animals. Using old as a negative identifier is not appropriate
Ageism
Past your prime
This phrase devalues older people by signifying that they are no longer “young” like they used to be.
Using old as a negative identifier is not appropriate.
Ageism
Pensioner /Retiree
Do not use terms such as these if you are defining people by what they do (or don’t do), rather than who they are.
Alternative: Address people respectfully by their name
Ageism
Senior moment
“Are you having a senior moment again?”
This term is used to describe an individual that has forgotten or misplaced something. It implies that seniors are typically people that are forgetful, lack mental function, or may be suffering from memory loss. Using this word mocks seniors and elderly people.
Alternatives: Memory lapse, Forgetful, Inattentive
Ageism
Silver tsunami
“Canada has more people over the age of 65 than youth under the age of 15 and is bracing itself for the silver tsunami of aging baby boomers.”
Silver tsunami refers to the aging of a generation to a natural disaster. i.e. a relentless, destructive, expensive, devastating phenomenon.
Alternatives: The aging of the population, Demographic shift, Age wave
Ageism
Senile Old Fool
“He's just a senile old fool.”
This term is used to refer to a person having or showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age, especially a loss of mental power. Suffering from dementia and being a fool are not related.
Alternatives: Dementia patient, Cognitive health
Ageism
You don't look your age / Successful aging
Ageism
Being or looking young is framed as a compliment and old as a thing to avoid and to hide. It is only kind of ok to be old, if you don’t look it. Saying this implies lower expectations for someone simply based on their age. It also congratulates them for looking younger. Using “young” instead of old is supposed to be a compliment that feeds into an ageist mentality.
To the extent that commenting on someone’s appearance can be considered acceptable (intentions and tone matter too), simply telling someone “you look very nice today” or “they were a great-looking couple” should be sufficient.
You're still working? Give your job to someone who needs it
Ageism
Rather than shaming older people for working at their age, we should encourage and acknowledge the years they have put into their service and careers. Everybody deserves to have a career, passion, etc.
This comment is highly inappropriate.
View next theme
Heterosexism
Discrimination in favour of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships.
View next theme
View words
2SLGBTQIA+
What does 2SLGBTQIA+ stand for?
2S: Two Spirit (drawn from Indigenous culture to refer to people who walk in two worlds)
L: Lesbian
G: Gay
B: Bi-sexual
T: Transgender or Transsexual
Q: Queer or Questioning
I: Intersex
A: Asexual
Heterosexism
Assumptions
Do not make the assumption that every gay or lesbian knows what every other gay or lesbian is thinking. It’s similar to asking a Japanese person why Sony is investing heavily in the United States.
Assumptions should be avoided, especially when you don’t know the person well.
Heterosexism
Backdoor bandit / Faggot / Fag / Fairy / Fruit / Pansy / Poofter / Sod / Sperm gurgler / Sausage fest / Twink
You can’t impose your own meaning on these words. You also can’t reclaim something without a thorough understanding of where it came from and the problem surrounding it. You may not think you’re being homophobic, but saying you are “just joking” or only saying it to people who aren’t gay doesn’t free you of blame. You may not be able to solve the issue of homophobia in our society. But what you can do it make sure you aren’t — consciously or not — contributing to it.
Heterosexism
Dyke
“What a Dyke.”
The term "dyke" is an offensive slang noun meaning lesbian. This word originated as a derogatory label for a tomboyish or butch woman. It is often used as a negative term by those not in the community.
Do not use it.
Heterosexism
"Gay boys are so stylish"
"Lesbians are so loyal"
Stereotypical statements ignore the reality of wide differences within any group and are potentially insulting to all groups.
Stereotypical statements should be avoided.
Heterosexism
Husband / Wife
Girlfriend / Boyfriend
These terms may reinforce heterosexuality as a norm. Remember: Inclusive language is deliberate selection of vocabulary that avoid the explicit or implicit exclusion of particular groups, and avoid the use of false generic terms.
Alternative: partner
Heterosexism
No Homo
By saying “no homo” you are basically alienating yourself from homosexuality because you’re afraid of being associated with it.
You don’t need to state your sexuality when complimenting others of the same sex.
Heterosexism
Pronouns
Heterosexism
There is nothing wrong with gender pronouns. However “he” and “she” come with a certain set of expectations about how someone should express their identity and relate to the world. For some it can be normal and for others limiting. Language matters. Gender-inclusive language is language that avoids bias toward a particular sex or social gender.
Someone might proactively tell you if they prefer gender-neutral pronouns, but if you make an assumption about their pronoun without asking, then the responsibility will fall on them to correct you. This can be awkward, so why not just ask what they prefer their pronoun to be?
Queer
“Dude, that’s so queer.”
Historically, this term was used to devalue, demean and insult and discriminate against people who identify with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. There has been recent movement to reclaim the word and use it as an umbrella term to describe sexual minorities or as an identity label an individual can use to simply define themselves.
Heterosexism
She male / Tranny / Trap
Behind this term is a history of violence and oppression inflicted on transgender bodies that we need to recognize, and respect those who continue to overcome it. If you do not identify with this term, do not use it.
Alternative: Go with what they are calling themselves. It’s not about your comfort level - it’s about showing respect and using the term that individuals and groups of people have chosen for themselves. Ask them what they prefer.
Heterosexism
"You don't look gay"
Complimenting gay men or anyone in the LGBTQ2S+ community by saying that they don’t look it is not ok nor needed.
This comment is simply not needed.
Heterosexism
You're so gay / That's gay
If you are describing something or someone as gay, you are still using the term in a condescending, demeaning and often insulting manner.
Alternatives: Depends on the situation.
Heterosexism
View next theme
Racism
Discrimination directed against a person of colour on the belief that the White race is superior.
View next theme
View words
Ape/ Kaffir/ Monkey
These are insulting terms for persons with African descent. It is an apartheid era terminology used by Afrikaners (Dutch) to insult Blacks in South Africa. The word is used to describe mannerisms similar to a monkey or someone with little intelligence.
Racism
Barbarian/ Barbaric
Barbarian is used to describe someone who is not perceived to be civilized. The Greeks used this term for all non-Greek speaking peoples, emphasizing their otherness, because the language they spoke sounded to Greeks like gibberish represented by the sounds “bar..bar.” This word is also associated with colonialism.
Alternative: Cruel, Brutal
Racism
Beaner
This word was created to insult Mexican immigrants.
Racism
Browny
Browny has been used to insult Middle Eastern and South Asian people for many years.
Racism
Chinese whisperer
This is another name for the game titled Telephone, where participants whisper a phrase to the person next to them until it reaches the last person in line. The origin of this phrase has to do with the Chinese language being difficult to understand and/or translate by Americans.
Alternative: A game of Telephone
Racism
Ching Chong Chang
These are pejorative terms sometimes employed by speakers of English to mock or play on the Chinese language, people of Chinese ancestry, or other East Asians perceived to be Chinese.
Racism
Chink / Chinx
Chink is a word that originated around the 1890’s in North America. It was derived from the phonetic word Ching of the Chinese Ching Dynasty. Chinese people who immigrated in the 1800’s and early 1900’s were from the Ching Dynasty and the word Chink was used as a racist slang. Many Chinese of the Ching Dynasty endured years of slave labour in Canada, building the railroads and working mines.
Racism
Chug
“That chug is wasting his life”
Chug is a racist slang term used against the Indigenous peoples of Canada, referring to them as heavy drinkers.
Racism
Darkie
This term was used across the world by colonizers to describe people to colour.
Racism
Don't be an Indian giver
This is an American expression used to describe a person who gives a gift and later wants it back, or who expects something of equivalent worth in return for the item. It is based on cultural misunderstandings that took place between early European colonizers and the Indigenous people with whom they traded. Often the Europeans would view an exchange of items as gifting, believing they owed nothing in return to the Indigenous who were generous with them, while the Indigenous people saw the exchange as a form of trade or equal exchange, so had differing expectations of their guests.
Racism
Drunken good for nothing
This is a racist phrase is often used to describe Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Avoid it at all cost.
Racism
Ethnic / Ethno-cultural
If you're using this word to describe people of colour, don't use it.
Here’s the thing: An ethnic group is a category of people who identify with each other based on things like a common language, religion, ancestral location, and history. So if you think about it, all people, including white people, are ethnic. Because all people identify in some way with a location, language, religion, and/or history.
Racism
Eskimo
People in many parts of the Arctic consider Eskimo a derogatory term because it was widely used by racist colonizers. Many people also thought it meant eater of raw meat, which connoted barbarism and violence.
This word’s racist history means it is not okay to use it.
Racism
Exotic
If your new coworker has a name you’ve never heard of before, hold your tongue before telling them it’s “exotic.” Using this word ends up exoticizing whomever you’re referring to, usually with nasty racial underpinnings. It’s a major verbal microaggression we need to undo.
Exotic is a term that others. It’s also a term usually reserved for animals and plants. So, let’s not even go there
Racism
Flip
Flip was originally a derogatory term used for Filipinos by U.S. soldiers. In recent times there has been a trend by the community to reclaim the word, so that it can be used between them but not by outsiders.
Racism
FOB (Fresh off the Boat)
This is often used as a means of mocking and other-ing an individual, while also downplaying the realities that many refugees and immigrants may be faced with when relocating to a new state. Some individuals may self-identify with this label.
Alternative: Newly Immigrated, Immigrant, Refugee
Racism
Ghetto
By comparing things, behaviours, or people to an idea of ghetto is racist, as it paints a wrongful and hurtful picture of what ghetto is. The media and the masses have an idea of what ‘ghetto’ might be because of what has been seen in popular culture, through the lenses of someone who hasn’t been in a marginalized situation.
Alternative: Poor community, Underdeveloped
Racism
Gooks
A colonial and racist term used to describe people of Southeast Asian and East Asian descent.
Racism
Gypsy/ Gypsy Soul
This is a derogatory term for a group of people called the Romani or Roma. Originating in India, the Romani people took to a traveling lifestyle and made money through trades. They primarily settled in Eastern Europe, but they live all over the world today.
Racism
Half Breed
This is a racist term used to describe a person of mixed race in a negative manner.
Racism
Illegal/ Illegal Aliens
Illegal can refer to the act of stealing a car, but not in reference to immigrant or refugee populations. It’s pretty simple to explain: Actions are illegal, people are not. The word illegal has been applied and abused by those advocating for harsh immigration policies that are undoubtedly racist and xenophobic.
Racism
Indigenous or Aboriginal?
Racism
What is a collective noun for the original inhabitants of Canada?
Indigenous is the collective noun but on the topic of correct terminology — avoid using the possessive phrase “Our Indigenous Peoples” as that implies ownership of Indigenous Peoples. The right answer is: Go with what they are calling themselves. It’s not about your comfort level — it’s about showing respect and using the term that individuals and groups have chosen for themselves. Ask them what they prefer.
Jew/Jewed
“I just got Jewed.”
This is a hateful word used to describe an instance that pertains to being cheap, associating it with the Jewish community.
Racism
Long Time No See
This phrase was originally meant as a humorous and insulting interpretation of a Indigenous greeting used after a prolonged separation.
Alternative: I haven’t seen you for a long time.
Racism
Marijuana
This "exotic-sounding" word emphasized the drug’s foreignness to white Americans and appealed to the xenophobia of the time. Harry Anslinger, the bureaucrat who led the prohibition effort, is credited as saying back then: “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers.
Alternative: Cannabis
Racism
Mulato
Mulato was historically used to describe the child of a black person and a white person. The term originates from the Spanish word “mulato,” which originates from the word “mula,” or mule—the offspring of a horse and a donkey.
Racism
Ni**er/ Ni**ah
The word started off as just a descriptor, with no value attached to it. As early as the 17th century, it evolved into an intentionally derogatory word, and it has never been able to shed that baggage since then—even when black people talk about appropriating and re-appropriating it. The word is inextricably linked with violence and brutality on black psyches and derogatory aspersions cast on black bodies. Never use this term.
Racism
No Can Do
This phrase stems from Americans making fun of immigrants who spoke English as a second language. To mock these people, native English speakers would say ‘no can do’, which is the grammatically incorrect way of saying ‘I cannot do that.’ Saying it only reiterates the thinly veiled racism that surrounds the lives of many.
Alternative: I cannot do that. There is no way I can do that. That is not possible.
Racism
Paki
“Wanna hit up Paki town for food (aka Brampton)?”
"Paki" acquired offensive connotations in the 1960s when used by British tabloids to refer to subjects of former colony states in a derogatory manner. In modern usage, Paki is typically a derogatory label used for all South Asians, including Pakistanis, Indians, Afghans and Bangladeshis. Recently, there has been a trend by Pakistanis to reclaim the word.
Racism
Red Indian / Indian /
Red skin
Racism
“Ask that red Indian boy.”
For Indigenous peoples in Canada, the word Indian is a symbol of shame. Many have been subjected to repeated slurs using the word. It has been used to stereotype them as savages.
Sand ni**er/ Camel jockey
This slur is often associated towards Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians.
Racism
Slant-eyed savage /
Spear chucker /
Teepee creeper
These racial slurs are referred to describe Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Do not use these terms.
Racism
Spic
Spic is a racial slur used against a person from a Spanish-speaking country of Latin America.
Racism
Squaw
This word is offensive and stereotypes Indigenous women back to a time when settlers believed that Indigenous women were voiceless child bearers, enslaved and subhuman.
Racism
Terrorist
“Your beard is terrorist level bro.”
Using this term is demeaning and disrespectful as you are critiquing someone’s appearance by comparing them to a preconceived notion of what a ‘terrorist’ might look like.
There’s no reason to comment on someone’s appearance by comparing them to a ‘terrorist’
Racism
Towelhead
Towelhead is an ethnic slur for people of Arab descent, especially those wearing Keffiyeh. As well as people who wear a turban.
Alternative: A hijab is a hijab, A turban is a turban, A Keffiyeh is a Keffiyeh
Racism
Wagon burner
“Get off the road you wagon burner.”
This racial slur is used to describe Indigenous peoples in an offensive way. It derives from early colonial days.
Racism
Wetback
Wetback is an ethnic slur that was originally coined and applied only to Mexicans who entered the U.S. state of Texas, presumably by swimming or wading across the river and getting wet in the process.
Racism
Where are you from?
Racism
The problem is the question. You don’t really want to know that I live at Grand Ave. Cambridge Ontario. You want to know my ethnicity. And sure if we’re close enough, I may feel comfortable telling you this… but if not, don’t expect me to tell you this.
Tone is important here. If you know the person well enough, you could ask: What part of your heritage are you proudest of? Or what is your ethnic background?
Uppity
Classism
The word uppity, originated as a word used by Southerners in reference to African-Americans that they deemed didn’t know their place in society.
White trash / Cracker / Hillbilly / Redneck / Trailer Trash
Classism
We’ve all heard these terms in reference to poor white people living in North America. These terms stretch back into early America and were developed largely as a way for rich white people to insult poor white people. So while they might not be expressly racist, they are still inappropriate.
View next theme
Sexism
Discrimination on the basis of sex.
View last themes
View words
Basic / Bimbo / Broad /
Blonde / Airhead
“Look at what that girl is wearing, she’s so basic!”
These words are female insults that enhance gender discrimination. People should have the freedom
to appear as they wish without feeling shame or harassment, or having their intelligence insulted.
If someone feels the need to comment on how someone is dressed, they can say differently.
Sexism
“Do you see the way she acts? She’s such a bitch.”
This derogatory word is often used to describe women who are strong or outwardly opinionated. When someone calls a man a bitch, it is often to say they are like a woman, or feminine, and they can be easily submissive.
If you are trying to say the person is not nice or rude, simply say that.
Sexism
Bitch
These terms are violent and sexist.
Don't use them.
Sexism
Bombshell / Man-eater
Bossy / Pushy / Feisty /
Sassy / Whiney
Have you ever seen a man be described with any of these words? That’s a general rule of thumb on how not to be sexist.
Alternatives: Strong, Forward, aggressive, in-charge, Powerhouse, Assertive, Boss, Exemplary, Commanding, Confident, Leader, Fearless, Impressive
Sexism
Where is the male equivalent??
There is no need for alternatives.
Sexism
Bridezilla
When women disagree with each other, the proceedings are sometimes stereotyped as a catfight. Men’s disagreements are not called catfights or dogfights or anything else.
Alternatives: Arguments, Disagreements, Debates, Discussions, Conflicts, Disputes
Sexism
Catfight / Catty
This is used to often describe both sexes, although it tends to be used more often for men.
Alternatives: self-confident, overconfident, arrogant, self-important, in love with oneself, pushy, overbearing, swaggering, aggressive, conceited, haughty, supercilious; jaunty, brash, cheeky, flippant, saucy, nervy, impertinent, insolent, careless
Sexism
Cocksure / Cocky
Cunt / Cunty / Cuntish /
Munt (male version)
The word was originally used to describe a vulva or vagina, but is now used as an insult to describe women. This word has a strong misogynistic overtone.
There is no need for alternatives.
Sexism
These terms are used primarily used to describe women.
Alternatives: Out of it
Sexism
Ditz / Ditzy
Use "Ancestors" instead.
Sexism
Forefathers
Fu*k Boy
This word is often used to “slut-shame” men. Originally it was used as a slur against male victims of rape, specifically prison rape. A fu*kboy was a male prisoner who was passed around as sexual property of fellow inmates and because they were weaker and smaller, they were taunted and called fu*kboys.
There is no need for alternatives.
Sexism
“Hey dude, she’s hot, FHRITP.”
This phrase started off as a vulgar videobombing prank meme that went viral and is incredibly degrading for women.
There is no need for alternatives.
Sexism
Fu*k her right in the Pu**y
or FHRITP
No need to bring gender into an agreement.
Alternatives: Unwritten, Informal, Oral, Honourable, verbal agreement, verbal, oral promise, contract , handshake, your word, mutual understanding.
Sexism
Gentleman's agreement
Sexism
Guys
Use: Folks, People, Everyone instead
Calling a woman "high-maintenance" is insinuating that there is something wrong with her because she requires more effort than other women. Women don't need to be compared to other women or shamed for their personalities. Treat people as individuals. The ‘high-maintenance boyfriend’ stereotype is yet to surface.
There is no need for alternatives.
Sexism
High-maintenance
Sexism
Hormonal / Raging female hormones / Over-sensitive / PMS / Period shaming
It’s known that PMS (pre-menstrual stress) can affect women’s moods – but this phrase ignores that and just assumes that if a woman’s frustrated or angry about something, it must be all down to her hormones…. because women can’t have any real cause for anger.
Both men and women have hormones, but hormonal is often only used to describe women.
The word "hysterical" derives from the Greek word for uterus. It usually gets tossed around as a description for emotional women and feeds into the sexist stereotype that women are unstable.
There is no need for alternatives.
Sexism
Hysterical
“Don’t be a pu**y”
By calling someone a pu**y, you are referring to them as a woman and therefore saying that being a woman is somehow shameful. “Don’t be a pussy, be a man” is a way of saying “be dominant and aggressive and don’t be feminine and passive.”
Alternatives: You can do it, Just try a little harder
Sexism
Pu**y
Slut / Skank / Whore /
Hoe
“I cannot believe you kissed her! She is such a slut.”
As a culture, we are quick to use these words that paint female sexuality as disgraceful – even if we don’t realize that we are doing it. For some young women, the stigma of these words are so hurtful that it leaves their lives in ruins.
Alternatives: She was exploring her newfound sexual desire. She was experimenting
Sexism
The word ‘dad’ is rarely preceded by ‘working’.
There is no need for alternatives.
Sexism
Working mom
By definition, whatever a man does or like is manly or manlike because a man is doing it.
Alternatives: courageous, strong, brave, upright, honorable, mature, noble, resolute, straightforward, vigorous, adventurous, spirited, direct, competitive, physical, mechanical, logical, Active, self-confident
Sexism
Manlike / Manly / Manbun / Mankind / Manly / Like a man
This phrase generally refers to a woman. Social butterfly conveys a sense of light-mindedness along with the sociable, gregarious character of the person.
Alternatives: Gregarious, outgoing, social, sociable, socially active, convivial, extroverted
Sexism
Social butterfly / Bubbly
View last themes
Know more words and phrases we can add?
Subtitle
Language Decoded
By canadiancmf
Language Decoded
Develop an inclusive language with a help of our app