Appropriate terminology

[Barry Arrowsmith]

No: HPFGUIDX 88907

The post by punkieshazam (88875) pricked my conscience.

I am sure that we all  abhor the thoughtless and insensitive use of 
inappropriate language when referring to individuals or groups in the 
Potterverse. We  can't be too careful; labels can be *so* socially 
divisive and it is all too easy to fall into unacceptable 
anthropo-centric thought patterns with their overtones of cultural 
imperialism.

In an effort to maintain the high ethical standards of the site, I 
offer the following gentler, less stereotypically negative alternatives 
as replacements for terms that may have caused distress to non-existent 
beings.

Centaur - integrationally-averse  humano-equine quadruped

Giant - corporally enhanced, culturally deprived indigent

Goblin - vertically challenged post-revolutionary monetarist

Hag - flesh re-cycling enthusiast

House  Elf - unsalaried involuntary home-help

Merman -  aquatic dwelling anthro-icthyomorph

Mudblood - differently ancestored

Muggle - the different ancestor

Troll - cerebrally challenged, socially mis-aligned altitudinist

Vampire - nocturnal haemo-phagiophile

Werewolf - lunar modulated lupine lycanthropist

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that publishers such as Bloomsbury or 
Scholastic will agree to
replace the existing terms, (many with negative connotations) by 
alternatives; quite right too. I estimate it would consume 0.02% of the 
Brazilian rain-forest to provide the extra page-space. But I'm sure if 
we make an effort we can mentally replace the old with the new as we 
make our non-judgemental way through the series..

Kneasy
(being socially concerned)