IF PETA Didn't Exist, Would We Even Know We're Wrong?

 

"People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants humans to stop using animal words as “slurs” in what it says is a “speciesist” and “supremacist” use of language.

The activist group put out the unusual call on its Twitter account Tuesday, where it claimed that animal-related insults “degrade animals by applying negative human traits to certain species.” Global News, 1-28-21

In a Tweet published on January 26, PETA helpfully offered a list of alternative terms. Instead of "chicken" call someone a "coward."  A "rat" should be called a "snitch," a "snake" should be called a "jerk," "pig" should be replaced with "repulsive" and "sloth" with "lazy."

Now, this opens up all kinds of linguistic possibilities. Most of them not so good.

Take "chicken," for example. Kids call each other "chicken" all the time. Are they supposed to refer to their more cautious playmates as "cowards" now? That kind of thing could easily lead to pistols at twenty paces.

What about "snake?" We're asked to say "jerk" now. "That guy's a jerk in the  grass." "Man, that gal moves like a jerk!" "The toilet's overflowing. Quick, honey, get me the plumber's jerk!" Which could also lead to trouble, if your brother-in-law the apprentice plumber overhears you.

And the list is incomplete. 

"I call b-llshit!"  Try "I call poopy!"  That ought to get you some respect.

"Son of a b-tch!"  Can't we just say "son of a rather harsh female?"

"I think I'm just gonna wing it." Replace with "I think I'm just gonna ignore complications and sally forth."

If PETA takes this thing any farther, we may have to resign ourselves to a world without grizzled old seadogs and gym rats.

And as far as DIH is concerned, that's just plain batty.