FEATURES
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Posted Jun 2, 2008
A - K
L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z L Latin America In common usage, includes all countries in the Americas that are primarily Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking. Although French-speaking countries are sometimes included in this definition, such usage is not preferred. See Latino, Spanish, Hispanic.
Latino Person of Latin American descent, regardless of ability to speak Spanish or Portuguese. Always capitalized. Always use Latino instead of Hispanic, except if the person prefers Hispanic, if Hispanic is in a quote or title, or if it would be inaccurate. Also Latina(s) for women and Latino(s) for women and men in a group. The U.S. Census Bureau uses Latino and Hispanic interchangeably to refer to persons of any race of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American, Dominican, Spanish, and other Hispanic descent. See Latino, Spanish, Hispanic.
Lesbian A woman attracted to other women, sexually and emotionally. See orientation.
LGBT Acronyn for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Many gay activists consider GLBT or LBGT to be more inclusive than gay as an adjective. Always use lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender on first reference. See bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender.
Little People Describes people of short stature. Derived from Little People of America, an advocacy group. Although used by some, use people of short stature. See short stature.
M Mandarin Official language of China and Taiwan, not a dialect. Refers to the spoken language only. Written language is Chinese, regardless of spoken dialect. See Chinese,Cantonese, Asian, Asian American.
Marriage equality A term preferred by some LGBT groups to same-sex marriage, or marriage rights for same-sex couples. See same-sex marriage, LGBT.
MBE Acronym for Minority Business Enterprise. MBE certification by federal or local government allows companies to compete for certain business. See WBE.
Mental illness Describes diseases of the mind, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. Do not use derogatory terms such as loony, nuts, etc. See derogatory terms.
Mestizo Although used by many Latinos to describe a person of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent, avoid unless in a quote or a title. Use specific heritage when possible. SeeLatin America, Latino.
Midget Derogatory term for person of short stature. Do not use. See short stature, little people, derogatory terms.
Migrant Although migrant can be defined as a person who migrates, the term mostly refers to farm laborers who move often to different locations to harvest seasonal crops. Do not use as a synonym for immigrant or emigrant. See alien, immigrant, emigrant, immigration.
Minority, minority group Describes person/group not in the majority. Historically refers to people of color but can describe other groups, such as women, depending on the context. Use only when part of a quote or title. Use people of color, traditionally underrepresented groups or other terms when possible, such as Black or Latino. See people of color.
MTF Acronym for male-to-female. Describes transgender person classified as male at birth,but who identifies as female. Do not assume sex-reassignment surgery. See FTM, sex reassignment surgery, transgender.
Muhammed Founder of Islam. Do not use alternate spellings unless preferred by people by their own proper names or as used by Muslims in titles or phrases. See Islam, Muslim.
Mute Derogatory term for a person who cannot physically speak. Use person who cannot speak or person who cannot voice. See disability, derogatory terms. N Native American Descendant of native inhabitants of the United States, regardless of tribal affiliation. American Indian is used by the U.S. Census Bureau and is preferred. Indian is not a synonym. Do not use half-blood or half-breed, derogatory terms for an American Indian of mixed racial and ethnic heritage. If possible, use tribe name rather than American Indian or Native American. See Native Indian, Indian.
Native-born Describes a person born in the United States. Does not refer specifically to Native Americans/American Indians.
Negro Once considered appropriate, this term for African Americans and Black people is outdated. Do not use except when part of a title or phrase as used by African Americans. See African Americans, Black, people of color, derogatory terms.
Nigger Derogatory term for African Americans and Black people. Because it continues to be extremely offensive to many people of color, do not use it except in very rare circumstances, even if in quotes. Do not confuse with niggard (a miser) or niggardly (miserly). Use N-word. See African American, Black, people of color, N-word, derogatory terms.
Non-disabled Term for a person without a disability, not preferred. Use "without a disability." Although not a derogatory term, avoid able-bodied. See disability, disabled.
Nuyorican Person from New York City of Puerto Rican descent. Not a derogatory term, but avoid except in an informal context. See Latino, Hispanic.
N-word Abbreviation of nigger, a derogatory term for African Americans and Black people. Use instead of nigger. See nigger, African American, Black, people of color, derogatoryterms.
Ñ Do not substitute n for this 17th letter of the 29-letter Spanish alphabet. [For PC users: press Ctrl plus Shift plus ~ then hold and press n for Ñ (uppercase); press Ctrl plus Shift plus ~ then release and press n for ñ (lowercase). See Spanish.
O Opposite-sex couples Describes couples with partners of the opposite sex. Although heterosexuality is implied, this term also includes couples where one or both partners are bisexual. Hyphenate opposite-sex only when used as an adjective. See partner, same-sex couples, bisexual.
Oriental Derogatory term for Asians and Asian Americans. Do not use except in quotes. See derogatory terms.
Orientation Describes sexual and emotional attraction, such as homosexual (gay or lesbian),bisexual and heterosexual. Do not use sexual preference. Not synonymous with gender identity or gender expression. See gay, lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, gender, sex.
Outing Also "to out." Describes revealing orientation or gender identity without consent. See coming out, closeted.
P Pacific Islander Used by the U.S. Census Bureau to describe people from Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Philippines, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga. Also used by many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for people from the Pacific Islands in general, but use specific countries when possible. See Asian American, Asian.
Pacific Rim Describes imaginary lines framing the Pacific Ocean, which borders several countries, primarily the United States, Canada, China, Japan and Australia. Not derogatory, but use specific regions and countries when possible. See Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander.
Paraplegia Disability in which a person cannot physically use his or her legs. See quadriplegia, disability.
Partner Describes a person in an opposite-sex couple or a same-sex couple who usually is unmarried. Use girlfriend, boyfriend, lover or companion if the couple prefers those terms. Use partner if they prefer it or if their preference is unknown. See opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples.
People of color Describes all non-white people. Singular is person of color. When describing a title or geographic location, of color can be used alone. (e.g., directors of color, New Yorker of color). Use specific terms (e.g., Black, Latino, Asian American) when possible. See African American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, Asian American, American Indian, Caucasian, white.
Protestantism Describes religious denominations formed as a result of their 16th-century break from the Roman Catholic Church, which includes Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Quakers. Do not use for Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons. Also, do not use for Eastern Orthodox churches. See Christian, religious terms.
Q Quadriplegia Disability in which a person can neither use his or her legs nor arms. See paraplegia, disability.
Queer Derogatory term for gay. Although queer has become acceptable among some LGBTs as an inclusive alternative for gay or LGBT, it is still considered offensive by many LGBTs because of its negative history. Do not use it unless part of a quote, title or phrase as used by LGBTs. See gay, LGBT, derogatory term.
R Race Classification of humans based on genetic characteristics, such as skin color, hair, facial features, etc. Not synonymous with ethnicity. See ethnicity.
Rap Predominant genre of music in hip hop. Do not capitalize. See hip hop.
Religious terms Do not use fundamentalist or liberal unless preferred by groups or individuals. Use conservative or moderate, respectively, as alternates. Avoid Judeo-Christian. See Christian, Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism.
S Same-sex couples Describes couples with partners of the same sex. Although homosexuality is implied, this term includes couples in which one or both partners are bisexual. Hyphenate same-sex only when used as an adjective. See partner, opposite-sex couples, bisexual.
Same-sex marriage Marriage for same-sex couples. Also gay marriage. Use marriage for same-sex couples when possible. Legal in Massachusetts only, but many other states are debating the practice. The federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman only, would have to be declared unconstitutional before recognition between states could be enforced. Many politicians have proposed civil unions as an alternative. See opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples, civil unions, same-sex marriage, domestic partnership.
Sex Physical distinction between male and female, regardless of gender. Do not use gender as a synonym. See gender.
Sex-change operation Use sex-reassignment surgery instead. Some transsexual people choose to receive this surgery to undergo physical alterations to look like their gender identity. See sex reassignment surgery, transsexual, transvestite.
Sex-reassignment surgery Some transsexual people choose to receive this surgery to undergo physical alterations to look like their gender identity. Do not use sex-change operation. See sex-change operation, transsexual, transvestite.
Short stature Preferred term instead of little people. Do not use dwarf or midget, which are both derogatory terms. See little people.
Sikhism Religion founded by Guru Nanak in the 16th century, derived form Hinduism. Adherents are Sikhs. Although elements of Islam have been incorporated, it is not Islamic. See Hinduism, Islam, religious terms.
Slang terms Do not use in except in quotes or if their use adds to the clarity and/or integrity of a written communication. Avoid any slang that could be considered derogatory. See derogatory terms.
Sodomy Oral or anal sex between members of the opposite or same sex. Laws banning it were declared unconstitutional in the United States. Only use specific terminology unless sodomy is in quotes or used in a legal context. See orientation. Spanglish Slang combination of Spanish with English. Not a language or dialect. Do not use in print. See Spanish, slang terms.
Spanish Describes primary language spoken in Spain and in most of Latin America. Also describes a person from Spain. Do not use as a synonym for Latino or Hispanic. See Latino, Hispanic.
Special rights Derogatory term for civil rights and equal rights. See civil rights.
Spic Derogatory term for Latino and Hispanic. See Latino, Hispanic, derogatory terms.
Straight See heterosexual.
Stutterer Use person who stutters. See disability, disabled.
T Third World Used during the Cold War, it describes countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America still developing economically. Do not use except in quotes or a title. The term developing countries is preferred.
Tejano Person from Texas of Mexican descent. See Chicano, Latino, Hispanic.
TOEFL Acronym for Teaching of English as a Foreign Language, a method of teaching English in other countries to non-English speakers. See ESL.
Transgender Person whose gender identity and/or gender expression varies from sex assigned at birth. Describes transsexuals, cross-dressers, intersex people and many other classifications. Orientation is not to be assumed. Use a specific term when known or if preferred by the person. Use transgender when a specific term is not known or if preferred by the person. See gender, sex, identity, gender expression, intersex, LGBT, transsexual, transvestite, transition, cross-dresser, orientation.
Transition Process of altering sex to match self-identified gender, which can include hormone therapy, sex-reassignment surgery and/or legal identity. See LGBT, sex-reassignment surgery, sex-change operation, transgender, transsexual.
Transsexual Person who identifies as a member of the opposite sex, regardless of orientation. A transsexual may or may not choose to undergo physical alterations, up to and including sex-reassignment surgery, which is the preferred term to sex-change operation. Orientation is not to be assumed. Use the pronoun that matches public appearance and/or that is preferred by the person. Do not use transsexual as a synonym for transgender. See transgender, transition, orientation.
Transvestite Derogatory term for a transsexual or a transgender person. See transgender, transsexual, derogatory terms.
Tribe Although not derogatory, avoid except in quotes or a title, or when modified into an adjective (e.g., tribal law). Many American Indians prefer nation. Avoid referring to ethnic groups in Africa (e.g. Hutu, Tutsi) as tribes. See indigenous, American Indian, Native American.
W WBE Acronym for women's business enterprise. Also woman-owned business. WBE certification by federal or local government allows companies to compete for certain business. See MBE.
Wheelchair Use wheelchair user or person who uses a wheelchair. Do not use wheelchair-bound or confined to a wheelchair. Do not use unless relevant. See disability, disabled.
White Defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a person of descent from the original people of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. See race, ethnicity, people of color, African American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, Asian American, American Indian.
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