British university bans use of ‘manpower’ and ‘mankind’ over fears some could find terms offensive

British university bans use of ‘manpower’ and ‘mankind’ over fears some could find terms offensive
Live stream 1069
Anna Fox

By Anna Fox


Published: 08/07/2022

- 15:26

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:51

The 'woke' debate rages on amid fears students will become offended

University bosses have barred students from using controversial terms including manning, mankind, manpower and millennial, in a move to curb offensive language.

The rule was implemented after fears elevated around the likelihood of students being offended and to contributing to raging stigmas.


The University of Bristol have banned the us of the word "manning", with students and staff instructed to use "stationed" instead.

They were also informed to use the term "non-disabled" opposed to "able-bodied".

The University of Bristol have banned student from using certain words they deemed 'offensive'
The University of Bristol have banned student from using certain words they deemed 'offensive'
Wiki Commons

Generation nicknames including "baby boomers" and "millennials" should be avoided, to avoid causing any age related offence.

Pupils and staff should refrain from using "mankind" opting for "humankind" instead, with "manpower" also ditched for "workforce".

Certain language has been favoured in order to be inclusive and not to cause offence
Certain language has been favoured in order to be inclusive and not to cause offence
John Walton

At the University of Nottingham, staff and students are told to steer clear of phrases like "the request fell on deaf ears" or "blind spot", which "may associate impairments with negative things".

"Lame" and "stupid" are also banned.

Conservative MP, Nigel Mills said: "Free speech is at risk because of these ridiculous ideas."

The news follows the announcement from Scout Leaders who created a "woke" style guide, prohibiting children aged between 10 to 14 from using certain terms and words to avoid causing offence to people of "all genders, religions, races and to those who live with a disability".

The game "Chinese whispers" has since been renamed as "broken telephone" in the new woke style guide.

The document outlines how children are told to use "first name" or "given name" instead, while "previous name" is preferred to "maiden name" as it is an "outdated term".

Children are instructed to refer to Australia and New Zealand by the countries names, instead of "down under".

The Scout Association faced backlash earlier this year, following the introduction of a "trans fun badge" for members as young as four.

Members were also offered a "bisexual fun badge", a "lesbian fun badge" and a "Pride fun badge".

You may like