Out In Left Field

  We may have reached a linguistic low point.  At the very end of the year, I indicated that the folks at Stanford had launched the "Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative" and, as a result such offensive words as, brave, gentlemen, seminal and even American, were to be expunged (for more examples see,  "Watch Your Mouth.") Now, some Social Work types at the University of Southern California, suggest that the horrific word "FIELD" has to go and no more "field work" done. I thought perhaps this was a joke by those who wanted to poke fun at the Stanford folks, but that is not the case, since the memo below is legitimate (as well as laughable.)

You Can No Longer Be Outstanding In Your Field

No More Trial Runs

   The Stanford censors said that there should be no more "blind studies" (use "masked studies") and those at USC said that "field work" should no longer be said. Since they have gone that far, they might as well add Trial Run, since the mention of the word "trial" may be traumatic for those who have had unfortunate court room experiences. 

CanCon: 
    There are Language Mounties up here as well. There will be no more Brownies playing in the Fields. Although the Brownies will still exist in the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and Girlguiding in Britain, in Canada they will be known as Embers. 
"The Girl Guides announced in November that it would be retiring the Brownies name to create a more welcoming atmosphere. A few weeks later, members were asked to vote online for the new name, either Embers or Comets. The organization said it had about 58,000 girl members and about 15,000 adult members, most of whom are troop leaders. The name change will be phased in over the next few months as the organization updates its websites, training sessions, marketing materials and other resources, the organization said. The Embers name is expected to be fully adopted by September."
"Girl Guides of Canada Drops Brownies Name," Amanda Holpuch, New York Times, Jan. 12, 2023.