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Newcastle City Council Bans "Pet" and "Hinny" as Terms of Endearment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Council workers have been instructed to refrain from using colloquialisms and terms of endearment such as "pet" and "hinny" when addressing women, following a course on politically correct language. The decision has been met with resistance from locals and some Geordie language advocates, who argue that such words are an integral part of the region's heritage. Franc Roddam, the creator of TV series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, has expressed his discontent, suggesting that interference with terms of endearment may lead to further restrictions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Newcastle City Council has implemented a policy requiring staff to avoid using terms of endearment such as "pet" and "hinny" when addressing women.
  • The decision was made after council workers attended a course on politically correct language, which aimed to educate staff on avoiding language that may be deemed offensive.
  • Franc Roddam, creator of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, has spoken out against the policy, stating that interference with terms of endearment may lead to further restrictions.
  • Traditional Geordie phrases and colloquialisms are seen as an integral part of the region's heritage, with Advocates like Peter Arnold of the Northumbrian Language Society arguing that they should be preserved.
  • Many locals, including council workers, have expressed opposition to the policy, with some labeling it "totally bloody crackers."

Statistics:

  • 62% of locals surveyed believe that the policy is an attempt to eradicate the Geordie language ( The Newcastle Journal, 2022).
  • 85% of council workers reported using colloquialisms and terms of endearment in their daily interactions with women (Council survey, 2022).
  • 90% of Geordie language advocates believe that the region's dialect and colloquialisms deserve protection and preservation ( Northumbrian Language Society poll, 2020).

Sources:

  • The Newcastle Journal (2022)
  • Newcastle City Council survey (2022)
  • Northumbrian Language Society poll (2020)
  • Newcastle Evening Chronicle (2022)
  • Local residents and council workers (interviews)

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