Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[Pabmusic]

From today's 'Times':
BBC staff have been told to use non-binary pronouns when addressing gender-fluid or transgender employees to ensure that the corporation does not develop a "heteronormative culture"

Nothing very special about this. Shakespeare used 'they' as a singular - and it certainly avoids the problem of overusing 'he'.

"If someone finids a purse in the street, they should take it to a police sstation".

[Stanfordian]

Nothing very special about this. Shakespeare used 'they' as a singular - and it certainly avoids the problem of overusing 'he'.

"If someone finids a purse in the street, they should take it to a police sstation".

I've been trying to use non gender specific terms for years. You are right. It's nothing new!

[LMcD]

According to the boss of Debenhams, quoted on the BBC News Business page, the company's Oxford Street store has 'landed a new gifting offer' for Christmas which customers reportedly love.

[Pabmusic]

According to the boss of Debenhams, quoted on the BBC News Business page, the company's Oxford Street store has 'landed a new gifting offer' for Christmas which customers reportedly love.

I don't doubt it.

[kernelbogey]

'pre-loved' - aka second hand.

(Surely, literally, means not yet loved...?)

[Pabmusic]

'pre-loved' - aka second hand.

(Surely, literally, means not yet loved...?)

You are right. It should be (if you insist on using the construction) 'previously-loved'.

[oddoneout]

You are right. It should be (if you insist on using the construction) 'previously-loved'.

Which can be abbreviated....Bit of laugh in those cases where the reason for disposal is notloving it, or not enough. It's all part of the modern obsession with dressing things up to make them seem more serious, inviting or important than they are - and in many cases to command a premium on the price. Not so long ago stuff that was charity shop bric- a brac/tat, or things to be taken to the tip, are now 'retro or 'vintage' and marketed(and priced) accordingly. On the plus side it delays the trip to landfill....

[Serial_Apologist]

According to the boss of Debenhams, quoted on the BBC News Business page, the company's Oxford Street store has 'landed a new gifting offer' for Christmas which customers reportedly love.

That must be the branch they're not thinking of closing down. Perhaps I should get over there quick, just to make sure...

[Serial_Apologist]

Which can be abbreviated....Bit of laugh in those cases where the reason for disposal is notloving it, or not enough. It's all part of the modern obsession with dressing things up to make them seem more serious, inviting or important than they are - and in many cases to command a premium on the price. Not so long ago stuff that was charity shop bric- a brac/tat, or things to be taken to the tip, are now 'retro or 'vintage' and marketed(and priced) accordingly. On the plus side it delays the trip to landfill....

Added to which, some of the "vintage" clobber that landes up in charidee shops often makes for more interesting shop window displays than those of the chain stores, given today's boringly limited range on colours of "choice", especially in men's ware (or mensware, as is written). They must sometimes wonder why they bothered re-introducing capitalism in China...

[oddoneout]

Added to which, some of the "vintage" clobber that landes up in charidee shops often makes for more interesting shop window displays than those of the chain stores, given today's boringly limited range on colours of "choice", especially in men's ware (or mensware, as is written). They must sometimes wonder why they bothered re-introducing capitalism in China...

Or menswear even....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Or menswear even....

They certainly do at the prices in some of the chain stores!

[french frank]

They certainly do at the prices in some of the chain stores!

<smirk>

,

[Serial_Apologist]

Or menswear even....

Yes, thanks oddoneout - something didn't seem quite right about my spelling in the first place.

[oddoneout]

Yes, thanks oddoneout - something didn't seem quite right about my spelling in the first place.

I'm afraid your original version did conjure up(I'm not quite in my right mind at present thanks to a virus is my excuse....) some interesting images which didn't sit very comfortably with the average High Street offerings - more colourful in the wrong way perhaps?

[kernelbogey]

'Mensware' could be a useful term, I suppose, for shops selling tools, footballs, guns - that sort of thing. There's a chain with a similar name that manages to retail an extraordinary variety of things that are supposed to be of prime interest to blokes. Perhaps Debenham's should take note.