Shared care · local choice

What we flag — shaped with you

147 patterns across colonial, gender, LGBTQ+, ableist, racialized, class, and age language. Turn rules on or off for your reviews, or edit shared defaults in src/lib/rules.ts. Rule-specific links are shown only when evidence has been attached directly; broader reading is kept separate so it cannot masquerade as proof. Suggested alternatives are prompts for contextual rewriting, not universal substitutions; evidence for a flag does not automatically validate every alternative. See Sources for the full list.

147 rules · 147 active

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Colonial & Eurocentric

Language that centers Western defaults or frames non-Western peoples as lesser or newly found by outsiders.

  • Discovery framing

    /\bdiscovered\b/i

    “Discovered” often erases Indigenous presence and agency. Prefer language that names arrival, contact, or colonization.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): encountered · arrived in · first documented by [who] among [people already living there]

    Rule-specific evidence · Daedalus — Climate & Language: An Entangled Crisis — documents how “discovery,” terra nullius, and colonial renaming render Indigenous presence invisible · Indigenous Journalists Association — Terminology Guide — recommends specific nation/community names and rigorous phrasing in coverage of Indigenous peoples

    discover-land

  • “New World”

    /\bnew world\b/i

    Treats the Americas as empty or newly real only upon European arrival.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): the Americas · Turtle Island (when appropriate) · Abya Yala

    Rule-specific evidence · American Journal of Biological Anthropology — Words matter in primatology — examines Old World/New World terminology as colonial framing that can erase Indigenous history

    new-world

  • “Old World”

    /\bold world\b/i

    Reinforces a Eurocentric map of history as the default timeline.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): Europe, Africa, and Asia · Afro-Eurasia · name the regions

    Rule-specific evidence · American Journal of Biological Anthropology — Words matter in primatology — examines Old World/New World terminology as colonial framing that can erase Indigenous history

    old-world

  • “Third World”

    /\bthird[- ]world\b/i

    Cold War hierarchy that ranks countries as behind a Western “first.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the specific countries or regions · countries subjected to colonial extraction (when that relationship is the point) · imperial core / periphery (when using that analytical framework) · low- and middle-income countries (only when income is the measure)

    Rule-specific evidence · Scotland’s International Development Alliance — Inclusive Language Guide — identifies first/third world and developing/developed language as hierarchical and tied to exploitative relations · MSF Anti-Racism Project — Equitable and Inclusive Language — recommends specificity and warns that developing world, Global South, and third world can be reductive

    Contested / context-dependent · ALNAP — Global South/North and first/third world — explains when relational power terms can be useful and when they become reductive binaries

    third-world

  • “First World”

    /\bfirst[- ]world\b/i

    Implies Western nations are the developmental default.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the specific countries · wealthy former colonial powers (when historically accurate) · imperial core (when using that analytical framework) · high-income countries (only when income is the measure)

    Rule-specific evidence · Scotland’s International Development Alliance — Inclusive Language Guide — identifies first/third world and developing/developed language as hierarchical and tied to exploitative relations

    Contested / context-dependent · ALNAP — Global South/North and first/third world — explains when relational power terms can be useful and when they become reductive binaries

    first-world

  • “Developing” countries

    /\bdeveloping (?:country|countries|nation|nations|world)\b/i

    Implies a single Western path of “development.” Use more precise economic or geographic terms when possible.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the countries and the specific change being discussed · countries shaped by colonial extraction (when relevant) · low- and middle-income countries (only when income is the measure)

    Rule-specific evidence · Scotland’s International Development Alliance — Inclusive Language Guide — recommends place-specific language and treats developing/developed framing as hierarchical · MSF Anti-Racism Project — Equitable and Inclusive Language — recommends naming countries or the exact material measure instead of broad development labels

    Contested / context-dependent · ALNAP — Use of language — documents debate around Global South/North while retaining colonial exploitation as relevant context

    developing-country

  • “Underdeveloped”

    /\bunderdeveloped\b/i

    Ranks societies against a Western industrial ideal.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the place · describe the specific infrastructure or resource gap · describe the extraction or power relationship when that is the point · low-income (only when income is the measure)

    Rule-specific evidence · Scotland’s International Development Alliance — Inclusive Language Guide — rejects hierarchical development language and recommends place- and context-specific descriptions

    underdeveloped

  • “Civilized”

    /\bcivilized\b/i

    Historically used to rank cultures and justify colonization.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): complex · organized · describe the specific practice or society

    Rule-specific evidence · Survival International — Proud, not primitive — connects civilized/primitive hierarchies to forced development and persecution of Indigenous peoples

    civilized

  • “Uncivilized”

    /\buncivilized\b/i

    Dehumanizing colonial hierarchy language.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): describe the specific harm or difference without ranking cultures

    Rule-specific evidence · Survival International — Proud, not primitive — connects civilized/primitive hierarchies to forced development and persecution of Indigenous peoples

    uncivilized

  • “Primitive”

    /\bprimitive\b/i

    Positions non-Western or Indigenous societies as less advanced.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): early · ancestral · foundational · describe the specific technology or practice

    Rule-specific evidence · Survival International — Proud, not primitive — states that primitive, backward, savage, and stone-age labels are false, discriminatory, and dangerous

    primitive

  • “Savage”

    /\bsavages?\b/i

    Colonial slur used to justify violence against Indigenous and African peoples.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): describe the specific behavior without dehumanizing groups

    Rule-specific evidence · Survival International — Proud, not primitive — states that primitive, backward, savage, and stone-age labels are false, discriminatory, and dangerous

    savage

  • Generic “tribe”

    /\btribe\b/i

    Often applied loosely to Indigenous or African peoples in ways that flatten political complexity. Prefer the community’s own terms when known.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): nation · people · community · use the specific nation’s name

    Rule-specific evidence · Native Governance Center — How to Talk About Native Nations — recommends nation to recognize sovereignty while retaining Tribe for official names, law, or community preference · Indigenous Journalists Association — Terminology Guide — recommends identifying the specific tribe, nation, or community rather than a catch-all group · Wabanaki Alliance — Media & Style Guide — centers distinct Indigenous governments, identities, histories, and community-preferred names

    tribe-generic

  • “Exotic”

    /\bexotic\b/i

    Othering framing that treats people or cultures as curiosities relative to a Western norm.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): distinctive · unfamiliar to [audience] · name the culture or place

    Rule-specific evidence · Asian American Journalists Association — Guide to Covering Asian America — explains that exotic positions Asian people against a white norm and recommends specific description

    exotic

  • “Oriental” (for people)

    /\borientals?\b/i

    Outdated othering term for Asian people; fine for rugs/design in some contexts, not for humans.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): Asian · name the specific ethnicity or country

    Rule-specific evidence · APA Style — Racial and ethnic identity — recommends specific identity terms and treats Oriental as inappropriate for people

    oriental-people

  • “Eskimo”

    /\beskimos?\b/i

    The Inuit Circumpolar Council asks institutions to use Inuit, but communities are distinct and some people or organizations retain regional usage. Check identity rather than replacing mechanically.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): Inuit (when referring to Inuit) · Yup’ik / Iñupiat / the specific community’s name · ask or follow community self-identification

    Rule-specific evidence · Inuit Circumpolar Council — Resolution on the use of the term Inuit — an Inuit-led resolution calling on research and other communities to use Inuit instead of Eskimo

    eskimo

  • “Powwow” as metaphor

    /\bpow[- ]?wows?\b/i

    A powwow is a specific Indigenous gathering; using it for any meeting is appropriation.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): meeting · huddle · sync · gathering

    Rule-specific evidence · Indigenous Corporate Training — Indigenous Powwow Protocol — explains what a powwow is and directly says colloquial use for any meeting is disrespectful

    pow-wow-metaphor

  • “Spirit animal”

    /\bspirit animals?\b/i

    Trivializes Indigenous spiritual concepts.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): favorite · kindred vibe · I’m drawn to

    Rule-specific evidence · Smithsonian Native Knowledge 360° — Not Your Spirit Animal — explains that generic spirit-animal activities trivialize nation-specific relationships, kinship, and beliefs

    spirit-animal

  • “Totem pole” hierarchy metaphor

    /\b(low man on the )?totem poles?\b/i

    Misuses sacred Northwest Coast cultural forms as a workplace ranking joke.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): lowest priority · least senior · bottom of the hierarchy

    Rule-specific evidence · Indigenous Corporate Training — Culturally Offensive Phrases — explains the cultural meaning of poles and why hierarchy metaphors misrepresent them

    totem-pole

  • “Circle the wagons”

    /\bcircle the wagons\b/i

    Settler-colonial frontier metaphor that casts outsiders as threat.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): rally together · close ranks · coordinate a response

    Rule-specific evidence · American Indians in Children’s Literature — Problematic Phrases — explains how the idiom reproduces settler stories of Indigenous people as aggressors

    circle-the-wagons

  • “Indian giver”

    /\bindian giver\b/i

    Racist stereotype about Indigenous people; historically inverted who broke agreements.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): took back a gift · changed the terms

    Rule-specific evidence · ICT News — History of the term “Indian giver” — documents the term’s derogatory history and European misreading of Indigenous exchange

    indian-giver

  • “Guru” as casual title

    /\bgurus?\b/i

    Guru carries sacred significance in Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, but also has broader teacher/expert usage in Indic contexts. A precision heads-up, not a universal prohibition.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): expert · guide · specialist · mentor

    Contested / context-dependent · Sikh Coalition — Teaching About Sikhism — explains Guru as a deeply significant Sikh title and source of spiritual authority · Hindu American Foundation — Respecting the wisdom gurus pass on — describes sacred guru-disciple relationships while showing that Indic usage can extend to master teachers

    guru

  • Native-speaker gatekeeping

    /\bnative (?:english )?speakers?(?: only| required| preferred)\b/i

    Often excludes fluent multilingual people and centers colonial language hierarchies.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): fluent in English · strong written/spoken English · professional proficiency in…

    Rule-specific evidence · TESOL — Position Against Discrimination of Nonnative Speakers — rejects native/non-native hiring criteria and recommends evaluating proficiency, preparation, and experience · Ruanni Tupas — The coloniality of native speakerism — traces native-speaker hierarchy to racialized colonial power and deficit language beliefs

    native-speaker-only

  • Mother-tongue gatekeeping

    /\bmother tongue (?:must|should) be (?:english|[a-z]+)\b|\b(?:english|[a-z]+) (?:as )?(?:a |your )?mother tongue (?:required|preferred|only)\b|\bmother[- ]tongue (?:english|[a-z]+) (?:required|preferred|only)\b/i

    Often used to exclude fluent speakers and privilege a colonial language default.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): fluent in English · professional proficiency in… · strong written and spoken English

    Rule-specific evidence · TESOL — Position Against Discrimination of Nonnative Speakers — opposes using native-speaker identity as an employment proxy instead of demonstrated proficiency · Ruanni Tupas — The coloniality of native speakerism — traces native-speaker hierarchy to racialized colonial power and deficit language beliefs

    mother-tongue-gate

  • “Virgin land”

    /\bvirgin (?:land|territory|wilderness|soil)\b/i

    Settler framing that treats inhabited places as empty and unused before colonization.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name who already lived there · uncultivated by settlers · land already stewarded by…

    Rule-specific evidence · Daedalus — Climate & Language: An Entangled Crisis — links virgin-land and terra-nullius language to imagined emptiness and Indigenous erasure

    virgin-land

  • “Dark continent”

    /\bdark continent\b/i

    Colonial nickname for Africa that coded the continent as unknown or inferior.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): Africa · name the country or region

    Rule-specific evidence · Lucy Jarosz — Constructing the Dark Continent — documents the metaphor as an othering representation that reaffirms Western dominance

    dark-continent

  • “Colonize” as casual metaphor

    /\bcoloniz(?:e|ing|ed)\b/i

    Using colonization as a cute synonym for “expand into” can trivialize historical violence. Keep when discussing actual colonialism.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): expand into · enter · open in · build presence in

    Contested / context-dependent · Tuck & Yang — Decolonization is not a metaphor — directly critiques metaphorical decolonization; relevant background, but not proof that every casual use of colonize is harmful

    colonize-metaphor

Gender-inclusive

Assumptions that erase non-binary people or treat male as the default human.

  • Generic “guys”

    /\bguys\b/i

    Often used for mixed or unknown groups, centering male as default.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): everyone · folks · team · y’all · friends

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    guys-generic

  • “Mankind”

    /\bmankind\b/i

    Male-default language for all people.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): humankind · humanity · people

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    mankind

  • “Manpower”

    /\bmanpower\b/i

    Male-default framing of labor.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): workforce · staffing · labor · people power

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    manpower

  • “Man-hours”

    /\bman[- ]hours\b/i

    Male-default unit of labor time.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): person-hours · work hours · staff hours

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    man-hours

  • “Man-made”

    /\bman[- ]made\b/i

    Male-default for human-created things.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): human-made · synthetic · artificial · manufactured

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    man-made

  • Binary he/she pairing

    /\bhe/she\b|\bhe or she\b|\bhis/her\b|\bhim/her\b/i

    Excludes non-binary people; singular “they” is widely accepted.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): they · the person · rewrite to avoid pronouns

    Rule-specific evidence · GLAAD — Nonbinary People — supports singular they and language that does not assume only two genders · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    he-she

  • “Ladies and gentlemen”

    /\bladies and gentlemen\b/i

    Binary address that excludes non-binary people.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): everyone · honored guests · friends · colleagues

    Rule-specific evidence · GLAAD — Nonbinary People — supports singular they and language that does not assume only two genders

    ladies-and-gentlemen

  • Binary gender framing

    /\bboth genders\b|\bopposite sex\b/i

    Assumes only two genders or a strict opposite-sex binary.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): all genders · another gender · people of different genders

    Rule-specific evidence · GLAAD — Nonbinary People — supports singular they and language that does not assume only two genders

    both-genders

  • Gendered chair title

    /\bchair(?:man|woman)\b/i

    Prefer gender-neutral role titles when gender is irrelevant.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): chair · chairperson · chair of the board

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    chairman

  • Gendered police title

    /\b(?:policeman|policewoman)\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): police officer

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    policeman

  • Gendered firefighter title

    /\bfireman\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): firefighter

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    fireman

  • Gendered mail title

    /\bmailman\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): mail carrier · postal worker

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    mailman

  • Gendered sales title

    /\bsalesman\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): salesperson · sales representative

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    salesman

  • Gendered Congress title

    /\bcongressman\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): member of Congress · representative · congressperson

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    congressman

  • Gendered cabin-crew title

    /\bstewardess\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): flight attendant

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    stewardess

  • Gendered server title

    /\bwaitress\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): server

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    waitress

  • Gendered business title

    /\b(?:businessman|businesswoman)\b/i

    Role titles can be gender-neutral without losing meaning.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): businessperson · executive · entrepreneur

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    businessman

  • “Freshman”

    /\bfreshm[ae]n\b/i

    Male-default academic year label; many schools use first-year.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): first-year · first-year student

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    freshman

  • “Pregnant women” only

    /\bpregnant women\b/i

    Not all pregnant people identify as women. Context matters—use the most accurate group term.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): pregnant people · pregnant patients · people who are pregnant

    pregnant-women-only

  • “You guys”

    /\byou guys\b/i

    Common mixed-group address that still centers male as default.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): you all · y’all · everyone · folks

    Rule-specific evidence · UN Women — Gender-inclusive language guidelines — recommends gender-neutral collective language and occupational titles instead of male-default forms

    you-guys

Ableist

Metaphors and insults that treat disability as deficiency or punchline.

  • Mental-health metaphor

    /\b(?:crazy|insane|psycho|lunatic)\b/i

    Uses psychiatric disability as intensifier or insult.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): wild · intense · unbelievable · chaotic · surprising

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    crazy

  • “Lame”

    /\blame\b/i

    Historically tied to physical disability; weak as a synonym for “bad.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): weak · uninspired · disappointing · flat

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    lame

  • “Dumb”

    /\bdumb\b/i

    Historically linked to speech disability; often used to demean intelligence.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): unhelpful · ill-considered · confusing · not useful

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    dumb

  • “Stupid” as dismissive default

    /\bstupid\b/i

    Often demeans intelligence; can land harder on people with cognitive disabilities. Context matters.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): unhelpful · ill-considered · poorly designed · confusing

    Rule-specific evidence · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    stupid-as-default

  • Sensory metaphor

    /\bblind(?:ed)? to\b|\bdeaf to\b|\bfall on deaf ears\b/i

    Uses blindness/deafness as metaphors for ignorance.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): unaware of · ignoring · overlooking · not listening to · went unheard

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    blind-to

  • “Crippled / crippling”

    /\bcrippled by\b|\bcrippling\b/i

    Uses disability as metaphor for damage or severity.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): hampered by · severely limited · devastating · severe

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference

    crippled

  • “Wheelchair-bound”

    /\bwheelchair[- ]bound\b|\bconfined to a wheelchair\b/i

    Frames a mobility aid as confinement rather than access.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): wheelchair user · person who uses a wheelchair

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    wheelchair-bound

  • “Suffers from”

    /\bsuffer(?:s)? from\b/i

    Assumes misery; many prefer neutral “has” or “lives with.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): has · lives with · was diagnosed with

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    suffers-from

  • “Handicapped”

    /\bhandicapped\b|\bthe handicapped\b/i

    Outdated in many style guides; prefer “disabled people” or specific access language.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): disabled people · people with disabilities · accessible

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference

    handicap

  • “Special needs”

    /\bspecial needs\b/i

    Vague and often othering; many prefer naming the disability or support needed.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): disabled children / disabled people (when accurate) · children with disabilities · name the specific support or disability

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference

    special-needs

  • R-slur / “retarded”

    /\b(?:retard|retarded)\b/i

    Slur against people with intellectual disabilities.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): unhelpful · ill-considered · describe the specific problem

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference

    retard

  • “Spaz / spastic”

    /\b(?:spaz|spastic)\b/i

    Ableist insult rooted in spastic cerebral palsy.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): clumsy · scattered · overexcited

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference

    spaz

  • “Sanity check”

    /\bsanity checks?\b/i

    Uses mental health as a metaphor for correctness.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): quick check · confidence check · smoke test · sense check

    Rule-specific evidence · Rooted in Rights — Disability Writing Guidelines — disability-community-centered guidance on neutral description, agency, and harmful metaphors

    sanity-check

  • “OCD” as personality quirk

    /\b(?:so |a bit |kind of |i'?m )?ocd\b|\bmy ocd\b/i

    Trivializes a clinical condition when used for “likes things tidy.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): particular · detail-oriented · I like things organized

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference

    ocd-metaphor

  • “Bipolar” as metaphor

    /\bbipolar(?! disorder)\b/i

    Often used for “moody” or “inconsistent,” which stigmatizes bipolar disorder.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): inconsistent · volatile · unpredictable

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center on Disability and Journalism — Style Guide — provides term-specific disability guidance and emphasizes individual/community preference

    bipolar-metaphor

Racialized & othering

Coded or overt language that racializes, exoticizes, or others people.

  • Whitelist / blacklist

    /\b(?:whitelist|blacklist)(?:ed|ing|s)?\b/i

    Pairs “white/black” with good/bad. Prefer functional terms.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): allowlist / denylist · permit list / block list

    whitelist-blacklist

  • Master/slave metaphor

    /\bmaster[/\-]slave\b/i

    Evokes slavery; many style guides recommend primary/replica or similar.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): primary/replica · main/secondary · leader/follower

    Contested / context-dependent · GitHub — Renaming default branch from master — documents one major platform’s move from master to main; it does not by itself prove every technical master/slave usage has the same context

    master-slave

  • “Nude” as default skin tone

    /\bnude\b(?=\s+(?:color|tone|shade|lipstick|heel|nail))/i

    Often codes light skin as the neutral default.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): beige · taupe · name the actual shade · skin-tone inclusive palette

    skin-tone-nude

  • Vague “ethnic”

    /\bethnic (?:food|foods|hairstyle|hairstyles|look|restaurant)s?\b/i

    Treats non-white cultures as a single exotic other.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the cuisine, culture, or style

    ethnic-food

  • “Illegal alien / illegals”

    /\billegal aliens?\b|\billegals\b/i

    Dehumanizing. People aren’t illegal; status descriptions can stay precise without slur.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): undocumented immigrant · person without legal status · asylum seeker (when accurate)

    Rule-specific evidence · AP — ‘Illegal immigrant’ no more — recommends describing a person’s action or legal circumstances instead of labeling the person illegal

    illegal-alien

  • “Ghetto” as insult

    /\bghetto\b/i

    Often used to demean Black and working-class aesthetics or spaces.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): under-resourced · describe the specific condition

    Rule-specific evidence · National Association of Black Journalists — Style Guide — recommends specific, non-monolithic language for Black communities and racialized reporting

    ghetto-as-slur

  • “Grandfathered”

    /\bgrandfathered\b/i

    Term has roots in Jim Crow voter-suppression “grandfather clauses.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): legacy-exempt · exempt under prior rules · preexisting exception

    Rule-specific evidence · DC Office of Human Rights — Words Matter — provides historical context for grandfather clause and recommends precise alternatives such as legacy status

    grandfathered

  • “Colored” (for people)

    /\bcolored (?:people|person|man|woman|folk)\b|\bthe colored\b/i

    Outdated racial label in the US (distinct from South African “Coloured” identity).

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): Black · people of color (when accurate) · name the specific group

    Rule-specific evidence · National Association of Black Journalists — Style Guide — recommends specific, non-monolithic language for Black communities and racialized reporting

    colored-people

  • “Chinese wall”

    /\bchinese walls?\b/i

    Finance/legal metaphor that racializes a firewall concept.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): ethical wall · information barrier · firewall

    chinese-wall

  • “Sold down the river”

    /\bsold down the river\b/i

    Alludes to selling enslaved people further into the Deep South.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): betrayed · abandoned · undermined

    sold-down-the-river

  • “Peanut gallery”

    /\bpeanut gallery\b/i

    Historically referred to segregated cheap seats; often used to dismiss critics.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): critics · hecklers · the cheap seats (literal)

    peanut-gallery

  • “Uppity”

    /\buppity\b/i

    Historically used to police Black people for not showing deference.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): assertive · confident · outspoken

    Rule-specific evidence · National Association of Black Journalists — Style Guide — recommends specific, non-monolithic language for Black communities and racialized reporting

    uppity

  • “Thug”

    /\bthugs?\b/i

    Often racially coded when applied to Black people; describe the specific behavior instead.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): describe the specific harm or crime

    Rule-specific evidence · National Association of Black Journalists — Style Guide — recommends specific, non-monolithic language for Black communities and racialized reporting

    thug

  • “No can do”

    /\bno can do\b/i

    Mocks Chinese Pidgin English stereotypes.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): I can’t do that · that won’t work · I’m unable to

    no-can-do

  • “Long time no see”

    /\blong time no see\b/i

    Mocks Chinese Pidgin English; many still use it casually—context varies.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): it’s been a while · good to see you again

    long-time-no-see

LGBTQ+ respect

Outdated or pathologizing terms; prefer identity-affirming language.

  • Clinical “homosexual”

    /\bhomosexuals?\b/i

    Often reads as clinical or pathologizing outside formal/legal contexts.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): gay · lesbian · queer (if reclaimed/self-ID) · LGBTQ+ people

    Rule-specific evidence · GLAAD — Terms to Avoid — directly recommends against clinical “homosexual” labeling in general media usage

    homosexual

  • “Sexual preference”

    /\bsexual preferences?\b/i

    Implies orientation is chosen. Prefer “sexual orientation.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): sexual orientation · orientation

    Rule-specific evidence · GLAAD — Terms to Avoid — explains why sexual orientation is more accurate than sexual preference

    sexual-preference

  • “Lifestyle” framing

    /\b(?:gay|homosexual|transgender) lifestyle\b/i

    Reduces identity to a voluntary lifestyle choice.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): lives · identity · LGBTQ+ people · trans people

    Rule-specific evidence · GLAAD — Terms to Avoid — rejects “gay lifestyle” framing as reductive and inaccurate

    lifestyle

  • “Preferred pronouns”

    /\bpreferred pronouns\b/i

    Pronouns aren’t a preference; they are the correct ones to use.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): pronouns · personal pronouns

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    preferred-pronouns

  • “Transgendered” / “a transgender”

    /\btransgendered\b|\ba transgender\b/i

    Outdated forms. Use “transgender” as an adjective: “a transgender person.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): transgender · trans person · transgender people

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    transgendered

  • “Born a…” / “biological man/woman”

    /\bborn a (?:man|woman|boy|girl)\b|\bbiological (?:man|woman|male|female)\b/i

    Often used to invalidate trans people. Prefer “assigned male/female at birth” when medically relevant.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): assigned male at birth · assigned female at birth · cis man / cis woman (when accurate)

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology · GLAAD — Covering the Transgender Community — recommends assigned-at-birth terminology when that detail is relevant

    born-a-sex

  • “Sex change”

    /\bsex changes?\b/i

    Outdated; gender-affirming care is broader than a single “change.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): gender-affirming surgery · transition-related care · gender confirmation surgery

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    sex-change

  • Anti-trans slur

    /\btrann(?:y|ies)\b/i

    Slur against transgender people.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): trans person · transgender person

    tranny-slur

  • “Hermaphrodite”

    /\bhermaphrodites?\b/i

    Outdated and often offensive; prefer intersex when accurate.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): intersex · intersex person

    Rule-specific evidence · interACT — Intersex Media Guide — intersex-led guidance on respectful terminology and terms to avoid

    hermaphrodite

  • “Transwomen” / “transmen” (closed compound)

    /\btrans(?:wo)?m[ae]n\b|\btrans-(?:wo)?m[ae]n\b/i

    GLAAD and many style guides prefer “trans woman” / “trans man” — “trans” as an adjective, not a fused noun. Soft when the closed form is used neutrally.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): trans woman · trans man · transgender woman / man

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    transwomen-compound

  • “She-male” slur

    /\bshe[- ]?males?\b/i

    Dehumanizing anti-trans slur; never use it.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): trans woman · transgender woman

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — identifies the term as a dehumanizing slur and gives accurate alternatives

    shemale-slur

  • “Trans-identified”

    /\btrans[- ]?identified\b|\btrans[- ]?identifying\b/i

    Common in anti-trans rhetoric to deny that someone is a woman or man. Prefer “trans woman,” “trans man,” or “trans person.”

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): trans woman · trans man · trans person · transgender people

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    trans-identified

  • “Adult human female” slogan

    /\badult human females?\b/i

    Often used as a campaign slogan to exclude trans women rather than a neutral dictionary gloss. Soft-flagged — say what policy you mean.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): women (when that is accurate and inclusive of your intent) · name the specific policy (sports, shelters, healthcare)

    adult-human-female

  • “Rapid-onset gender dysphoria” / ROGD

    /\brapid[- ]onset gender dysphoria\b|\brogd\b/i

    A contested, poorly evidenced framing often used to dismiss trans youth. Prefer clinical language from established medical bodies.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): gender dysphoria (with clinical sources) · gender-affirming care for youth (if that’s the topic) · cite peer-reviewed guidance, not ROGD blogs

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    rapid-onset-gd

  • “Social contagion” framing of transition

    /\b(?:trans|gender) (?:social )?contagion\b|\bsocial contagion\b(?=.{0,40}\b(?:trans|gender|dysphoria|pronoun))/i

    Casts being transgender as a trend or infection. Soft when “social contagion” is used in unrelated epidemiology.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): peer influence / social factors (if studying them carefully) · gender dysphoria with clinical sources · avoid contagion metaphors for identity

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    social-contagion-trans

  • “Transing” / “transed”

    /\btrans(?:ed|ing)\b/i

    Activist slang that frames transition as something done to people (especially kids) rather than care or self-determination.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): gender-affirming care · transition / social transition · name the specific medical or school policy

    transing-kids

  • “Mutilation” / “chemical castration” for affirming care

    /\b(?:genital |chemical )?mutilat(?:e|ion|ing)\b(?=.{0,50}\b(?:trans|gender|transition|dysphoria|puberty|blocker))|\bchemical(?:ly)? castrat(?:e|ion|ing)\b(?=.{0,50}\b(?:trans|gender|puberty|blocker|minor|child))/i

    Inflammatory framing of gender-affirming care. Soft when discussing documented FGM or court-ordered chemical castration in other contexts.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): gender-affirming surgery / care · puberty blockers / hormone therapy (clinical terms) · name the specific procedure or medication

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    mutilation-transition

  • “Erasing women” framing

    /\beras(?:e|ing|ure) (?:of )?wom(?:an|en)\b|\bwom(?:an|en)['’]?s? erasure\b/i

    Often a campaign slogan casting trans inclusion as elimination of women. Soft — you can discuss sex discrimination without this frame.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the specific policy conflict · women’s rights and trans rights (both matter) · avoid zero-sum erasure framing

    erase-women

  • “Men in dresses / women’s spaces” smear

    /\bmen in (?:dresses|skirts|women['’]?s? (?:spaces?|bathrooms?|toilets?|shelters?|sports?))\b|\bman in a dress\b/i

    Reduces trans women to men in costume and frames their presence as threat. Prefer precise policy language if you have a safety concern.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): trans women · name the facility policy you mean · do not use costume framing for trans people

    men-in-dresses

  • “Gender confused”

    /\bgender[- ]confused\b|\bconfused about (?:their |his |her )?gender\b/i

    Dismisses transgender identity as confusion rather than a real identity or clinical diagnosis.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): trans / transgender · gender dysphoria (clinical, when accurate) · use the person’s stated identity

    gender-confused

Class & status

Language that shames poverty or treats wealth as moral virtue.

  • Classist insult

    /\b(?:trailer trash|white trash)\b|\bthe poor are\b/i

    Shames poverty and working-class people.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): describe material conditions without contempt

    Rule-specific evidence · Joseph Rowntree Foundation — Reporting Poverty — co-produced guidance centering people experiencing poverty, structural causes, and agency

    poor-as-insult

  • Penny-pinching insult

    /\b(?:cheapskate|tightwad)s?\b/i

    Can shame thrift rooted in economic necessity.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): frugal · budget-conscious · cost-aware

    cheap-people

  • “Welfare queen”

    /\bwelfare queens?\b/i

    Racialized classist stereotype used to shame public assistance.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): person receiving benefits · describe the policy issue

    Rule-specific evidence · Joseph Rowntree Foundation — Reporting Poverty — co-produced guidance centering people experiencing poverty, structural causes, and agency

    welfare-queen

  • Coded “inner city”

    /\binner[- ]city\b/i

    Often a coded stand-in for Black or poor urban communities. Be specific when you can.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the neighborhood · under-invested urban area · specific city district

    Rule-specific evidence · National Association of Black Journalists — Style Guide — recommends specific, non-monolithic language for Black communities and racialized reporting

    inner-city-coded

  • “The homeless” as a monolith

    /\bthe homeless\b/i

    Turns a varied group of people into a condition. Preferences differ, so use people-first or community-preferred language.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): people experiencing homelessness · homeless people (when community-preferred) · people without stable housing

    Rule-specific evidence · Street Sense Media — Reporter’s Guide — recommends specificity and asking people how they identify in homelessness coverage

    the-homeless

  • “Unskilled” labor

    /\bunskilled (?:labou?r|workers?|jobs?)\b/i

    Work described as unskilled still requires learned abilities and effort. Name the training, wage, or role distinction you mean.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): entry-level work · lower-wage work (when accurate) · work not requiring formal credentials · name the role

    Rule-specific evidence · Jobs for the Future — Language Matters Guide — recommends describing credentials, pay, or role requirements instead of labeling workers unskilled

    unskilled-labor

  • “Low-skilled” workers

    /\blow[- ]skilled (?:labou?r|workers?|jobs?)\b/i

    Can flatten workers into a deficit label. Describe the credential or training requirement instead.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): workers in roles requiring less formal training · entry-level workers · name the occupation

    Rule-specific evidence · Jobs for the Future — Language Matters Guide — recommends precise descriptions of skills and barriers rather than deficit labels

    low-skilled-workers

  • Dramatic poverty labels

    /\bpoverty[- ]stricken\b|\bthe impoverished\b/i

    Can define people entirely by hardship and invite pity rather than describe material conditions precisely.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): people living in poverty · low-income households · communities facing economic hardship

    Rule-specific evidence · Joseph Rowntree Foundation — Reporting Poverty — co-produced guidance centering people experiencing poverty, structural causes, and agency

    poverty-stricken

  • “Slum” as a catch-all

    /\bslums?\b|\bslum[- ]dwellers?\b/i

    Can stigmatize residents and erase the specific housing, infrastructure, or policy conditions involved.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): informal settlement (when accurate) · under-resourced neighborhood · name the specific housing conditions

    slum-language

  • “Welfare-dependent”

    /\bwelfare[- ]dependent\b|\bdependent on welfare\b/i

    Frames receiving public assistance as a personal failing. Name the program or economic circumstance.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): receives public assistance · uses [program name] · household receiving benefits

    Rule-specific evidence · Joseph Rowntree Foundation — Reporting Poverty — co-produced guidance centering people experiencing poverty, structural causes, and agency

    welfare-dependent

  • “The underclass”

    /\bthe underclass\b|\bunderclass (?:people|communities|families)\b/i

    Ranks people beneath an assumed social norm and can carry racialized stereotypes.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): low-income communities · economically marginalized people · name the specific group or condition

    Rule-specific evidence · Joseph Rowntree Foundation — Reporting Poverty — co-produced guidance centering people experiencing poverty, structural causes, and agency

    underclass

Age-inclusive

Stereotypes that dismiss people based on age.

  • “The elderly”

    /\bthe elderly\b/i

    Can flatten older adults into a monolith. Prefer “older adults” when possible.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): older adults · older people · elders (community-specific)

    Rule-specific evidence · AARP — Language of Aging — research with adults 50+ supporting non-monolithic, factual language about age

    elderly-as-burden

  • Age put-down

    /\bok boomer\b/i

    Dismisses people by generation rather than engaging the idea.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): I disagree because… · that framing overlooks…

    boomer-as-insult

  • “Senile”

    /\bsenile\b/i

    Often used as an ageist insult rather than a precise clinical description.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): describe the specific cognitive concern · person with dementia (when accurate)

    senile

  • “Digital native”

    /\bdigital natives?\b/i

    Ages people as inherently tech-fluent or obsolete; skills are learned, not born.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): experienced with… · proficient in… · familiar with digital tools

    Rule-specific evidence · AARP — Age-Inclusive Employment Guidance — challenges age-coded assumptions in hiring and workplace language

    digital-native

  • “Young and energetic” hiring filter

    /\byoung and energetic\b|\byoung,? energetic\b/i

    Often codes age discrimination in job ads. Ask for the actual stamina or schedule needs.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): high-energy role · fast-paced environment · describe the schedule or physical demands

    Rule-specific evidence · AARP — Age-Inclusive Employment Guidance — challenges age-coded assumptions in hiring and workplace language

    young-energetic

  • “The old” / “old people”

    /\bthe old\b|\bold people\b/i

    Can reduce older adults to age as a defining trait or use age as a dismissive category.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): older adults · older people · people age [range]

    Rule-specific evidence · AARP — Language of Aging — research with adults 50+ supporting non-monolithic, factual language about age

    old-people

  • “Over the hill”

    /\bover the hill\b/i

    Frames aging as decline and people past an arbitrary age as no longer capable or relevant.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): experienced · later in their career · describe the specific concern

    over-the-hill

  • “Too old to…”

    /\btoo old to\b|\btoo old for\b/i

    Often substitutes an age stereotype for an actual requirement or individual preference.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the specific requirement · ask about the person’s preference or ability · remove the age assumption

    too-old-to

  • “Geriatric” outside clinical context

    /\bgeriatric\b/i

    A valid medical specialty term that can become demeaning when used as a synonym for obsolete or incapable.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): older adult · geriatric medicine (in clinical context) · describe what seems outdated

    geriatric-insult

  • “Silver tsunami”

    /\bsilver tsunami\b|\bgrey tsunami\b|\bgray tsunami\b/i

    Frames population aging and older people as an overwhelming natural disaster or social burden.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): population aging · growth in the older-adult population · demographic change

    Rule-specific evidence · National Center to Reframe Aging — Communication Best Practices — recommends against crisis and disaster metaphors for population aging

    silver-tsunami

  • Generational dismissal

    /\bkids these days\b|\byoung people today\b/i

    Can dismiss a broad age group instead of naming a specific behavior, trend, or evidence.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the behavior or trend · cite the age group and evidence · avoid generalizing a generation

    kids-these-days

  • “Anti-aging” marketing

    /\banti[- ]aging\b|\bage[- ]defying\b/i

    Treats visible aging as a flaw to defeat. Describe the product’s concrete effect without making age the problem.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): hydrating · supports skin elasticity · reduces the appearance of fine lines · name the specific effect

    anti-aging

Coded & dogwhistle

Phrases that can carry far-right or conspiracy meanings people may repeat without knowing. Shown as heads-ups — context always wins.

  • “Cultural Marxism”

    /\bcultural marxism\b|\bcultural marxists?\b|\bcultural bolshevism\b/i

    A conspiracy frame that casts social justice and multiculturalism as a secret plot — often with antisemitic undertones. Prefer naming the specific policy you mean.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the specific policy or critique · describe the concrete disagreement · avoid conspiracy framing

    Rule-specific evidence · SPLC — ‘Cultural Marxism’ catching on — documents the phrase’s antisemitic conspiracy lineage and use in far-right organizing

    cultural-marxism

  • “Great Replacement”

    /\bgreat replacement\b|\bthe replacement\b(?=\s+(?:theory|myth|of))/i

    A white-nationalist conspiracy theory about demographic change. Demographic data can be discussed without this frame.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): demographic change · migration trends · cite specific data without conspiracy framing

    Rule-specific evidence · American Jewish Committee — Great Replacement — documents the white-supremacist conspiracy theory and its antisemitic variants

    great-replacement

  • “Blood and soil”

    /\bblood and soil\b|\bblut und boden\b/i

    A Nazi slogan tying ethnicity to land. Almost never neutral in public copy.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): remove the slogan · describe land stewardship without racial purity framing

    Rule-specific evidence · ADL — German Nazi phrases — identifies Blood and Soil as a Nazi slogan adopted by white supremacists

    blood-and-soil

  • (((Echo))) markers

    /\(\(\([^\n)]{1,80}\)\)\)/i

    Triple parentheses are used by white supremacists to mark people or institutions as Jewish. If that isn’t your intent, don’t use the markup.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): remove the triple parentheses · name the person or organization plainly

    Rule-specific evidence · ADL — Echo — identifies triple parentheses as an antisemitic targeting marker

    echo-parentheses

  • 1488 / 14/88

    /\b1488\b|\b14\s*/\s*88\b|\b14/88\b/i

    Combines white-supremacist “14 words” and “88” (HH). Numbers alone can be coincidental — soft-flagged so you can check context.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): avoid the number combo in usernames and copy if unintended · use a different numeric ID

    Rule-specific evidence · ADL — 1488 — documents 14/88 and 1488 as combined white-supremacist numerical symbols

    fourteen-eighty-eight

  • “Globalist” as smear

    /\bglobalists?\b/i

    Can mean trade policy — or a coded antisemitic / nativist smear about “elites.” Soft-flagged: say what you actually mean.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): multinational corporations · trade policy you oppose · name the institution or practice

    Contested / context-dependent · American Jewish Committee — Globalist — explains antisemitic uses while warning that the ordinary political term is not inherently antisemitic

    globalist-smear

  • “Western values / culture” as code

    /\bwestern values\b|\bwestern culture\b|\bour way of life\b/i

    Sometimes ordinary geography or history — sometimes a euphemism for ethnonationalism or anti-Muslim / anti-LGBTQ politics. Soft-flagged so you can be specific.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the specific right or tradition (e.g. free press, due process) · democracy and human rights · avoid vague civilizational framing

    western-values-dogwhistle

  • “Trans agenda” / “gender ideology”

    /\btrans(?:gender)? agenda\b|\bgender ideology\b|\bgender critical ideology\b/i

    Conspiracy framing that treats trans people’s rights and existence as a coordinated plot. Prefer concrete policy disagreements.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the specific policy · trans people’s rights · gender-affirming care policy (if that’s the topic)

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    trans-agenda

  • “Groomer” as smear

    /\bgroomers?\b/i

    Often used as a false, dangerous smear against LGBTQ+ people and educators. Soft-flagged around literal child-protection language; skipped for pet/salon groomers.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): do not use as a political smear · name the specific harm or crime if one exists · educator / librarian / advocate (when accurate)

    Rule-specific evidence · Trans Journalists Association — Stylebook and Coverage Guide — trans-led guidance on accurate identity, medical, pronoun, and anti-trans rhetoric terminology

    groomer-smear

  • “Go woke, go broke”

    /\bgo(?:t)? woke,? go broke\b|\bget woke,? go broke\b/i

    A stock anti-inclusion slogan. Soft-flagged — you can critique a business decision without the catchphrase.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): describe the specific business or creative disagreement · avoid the slogan if you don’t mean the culture-war frame

    go-woke-go-broke

  • “Modern audience” (anti-inclusion code)

    /\bmodern audiences?\b/i

    In some gaming and media circles, a dogwhistle for resentment of diversity casting or inclusive writing. Soft-flagged — ordinary marketing use is common.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): today’s viewers / players · name the specific creative choice · diverse casting (if that’s what you mean positively)

    modern-audience

  • “White genocide”

    /\bwhite genocide\b/i

    White-supremacist conspiracy claim that white people are being deliberately erased. Closely tied to Great Replacement rhetoric.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): demographic change with cited data · specific policy critique without eliminationist framing

    Rule-specific evidence · American Jewish Committee — Great Replacement — documents white genocide as a variant of the white-supremacist replacement conspiracy

    white-genocide

  • “Race realism” / HBD

    /\brace realism\b|\bhuman biodiversity\b|\bhbd\b/i

    Euphemisms for scientific racism — fixed racial hierarchies of intelligence or behavior. Soft-flagged for the bare acronym HBD.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): reject racial hierarchy framing · discuss inequality via history and policy, not racial essentialism

    Rule-specific evidence · SPLC — Henry Harpending and Human Biodiversity — documents Human Biodiversity and race realism as labels used to rehabilitate scientific racism

    race-realism

  • “It’s okay to be white” / IOTBW

    /\bit['’]?s okay to be white\b|\biotbw\b/i

    4chan-origin campaign slogan used to normalize white-identity politics and bait media — not a generic anti-racism message.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): oppose racism without the campaign slogan · affirm everyone’s dignity without ethnonational branding

    Rule-specific evidence · ADL — It’s Okay to Be White — documents the slogan’s origin as a trolling campaign and subsequent white-supremacist use

    iotbw

  • “Remigration”

    /\bremigration\b|\bre-?migrat(?:e|ion)\b/i

    In far-right usage, a euphemism for mass removal of immigrants and often citizens of immigrant background. Soft-flagged when voluntary-return policy is clearly meant.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): voluntary return / assisted departure (if that’s the policy) · asylum or immigration law specifics · avoid euphemisms for mass ethnic removal

    Rule-specific evidence · Institute for Strategic Dialogue — Total Remigration — documents remigration as an extreme-right mass-deportation narrative and campaign

    remigration

  • “Soy boy”

    /\bsoy[- ]?boys?\b/i

    Misogynistic insult policing masculinity and mocking progressive men via pseudoscience about soy. Soft-flagged.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): drop the insult · critique ideas without gendered food memes

    soy-boy

  • “Kalergi plan”

    /\bkalergi(?:\s+plan)?\b|\bcoudenhove[- ]kalergi\b/i

    Antisemitic conspiracy theory claiming a secret plan to destroy Europe through migration — related to Great Replacement myths.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): discuss EU migration policy with primary sources · avoid secret-plot framing

    kalergi-plan

  • “Clown world” / Honkler

    /\bclown world\b|\bhonkler\b|\bhonk honk\b/i

    Far-right meme framing diversity and LGBTQ+ rights as civilization collapsing into absurdity. Soft-flagged.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): describe the specific policy failure or news event · avoid the meme branding if you don’t mean that frame

    Rule-specific evidence · ADL — Honkler — documents the clown-world/Honkler meme’s adoption in white-supremacist and antisemitic communities

    clown-world

General inclusion

Broader phrasing that can exclude or flatten communities.

  • Hyperbolic job titles

    /\b(?:coding )?ninjas?\b|\b(?:marketing )?rockstars?\b/i

    Can feel exclusionary in hiring copy and often imports cultural metaphors casually. (UI “wizard” steps are not flagged.)

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): skilled · experienced · strong contributor

    Rule-specific evidence · Massachusetts — Recommendations for Inclusive Job Postings — recommends clear skills-focused job language instead of exclusionary jargon and archetypes

    ninja-rockstar

  • “Culture fit”

    /\bculture fit\b/i

    Often codes for hiring people like the existing team and can shut out difference.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): values alignment · ways of working · collaboration style

    Rule-specific evidence · NIST — Workforce Diversity and Inclusion — supports structured, job-relevant criteria over subjective similarity screening

    culture-fit

  • “Master” branch

    /\bmaster branch\b/i

    Many projects renamed default branches to avoid master/slave echoes. Optional depending on your norms.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): main branch · default branch

    Rule-specific evidence · GitHub — Renaming default branch from master — documents GitHub’s default-branch change and recommends main for new repositories

    master-branch

  • “Diversity hire”

    /\bdiversity hire\b|\bdiverse hire\b|\bdiversity candidate\b/i

    Can reduce someone to a demographic trait and imply they were hired instead of being qualified.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the person’s role and qualifications · hire from an underrepresented group (when relevant) · remove the tokenizing label

    diversity-hire

  • “DEI hire” as a put-down

    /\bDEI hire\b|\baffirmative[- ]action hire\b/i

    Often questions a person’s competence by attributing their job only to an inclusion policy.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the actual hiring concern and evidence · describe the policy without labeling the person · refer to the person by their role

    dei-hire

  • “Foreign-sounding”

    /\bforeign[- ]sounding (?:name|accent|voice)\b/i

    Treats one accent or naming tradition as the local default and others as not belonging.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): name the language or accent when relevant · ask how to pronounce the person’s name · remove the belonging judgment

    foreign-sounding

  • “Normal people”

    /\bnormal people\b|\bnormal person\b/i

    Can cast disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, or otherwise marginalized people as abnormal. Name the comparison you mean.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): most people (if supported) · people without [specific condition] · typical in this sample · name the comparison group

    normal-people

  • “Minorities” as a blanket noun

    /\bminorities\b|\ba minority person\b/i

    Can flatten distinct communities and define people only by numerical or power status.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): minoritized communities · underrepresented groups · name the specific communities

    Rule-specific evidence · National Association of Black Journalists — Style Guide — recommends specific, non-monolithic language for Black communities and racialized reporting

    minorities-noun

  • “Clean-cut” hiring language

    /\bclean[- ]cut (?:candidate|applicant|employee|professional|person)\b/i

    Can encode narrow cultural expectations around hair, dress, gender expression, tattoos, and class.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): follows role-specific safety requirements · meets the stated dress policy · remove appearance criteria unrelated to the job

    clean-cut-candidate

  • “Real name”

    /\b(?:your|their|his|her) real name\b|\bwhat(?:'s| is) your real name\b/i

    Can invalidate chosen names, anglicized names, stage names, or names used by trans people. Ask for the specific name type needed.

    Context-sensitive options (not automatic swaps): legal name (only when required) · name you go by · name on your identification · preferred display name

    real-name