PETA’s (People of Ethical Treatment of Animals) recently released guide on animal-sensitive language asks people to refrain from using anti-animal phrases. They justify that using such phrases like “beat a dead horse” or be the guinea pig” trivializes acts of animal cruelty.
https://www.facebook.com/official.peta/photos/a.55746449585/10157066589794586/?type=3&theater
Although animal safety and protection has always been an advocacy for us, PETA’s new cause is still a bit vague as to how it relates to their ultimate goal. But I suppose we could all be a little kinder to animals, in whatever form that takes. While their intent was admirable, it didn’t stop us from having a laugh or two at the different reactions which followed online.
A number of people applied the logic of PETA to different areas: books, fruits, and whatnot.
Just as it became unacceptable to use racist, homophobic, or ableist language, phrases that trivialise cruelty to books will vanish as more people appreciate books for what they are. pic.twitter.com/PDDdmgyO8o
— WaterstonesTCR (@WaterstonesTCR) December 5, 2018
Bananas are marred by offensive language like banana republic, driving me bananas, and second banana. We need a more a-peeling approach. This slippery slope of stereotyping fruit won’t smothie things over. Bananas don’t live on plantain-tions. They’re free and equal. Act like it!
— FG&CH (@socpoljoker) December 5, 2018
Someone wittily proposed how this sensitivity should extend to existing book titles like “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
wait I think I got the hang of this pic.twitter.com/D3DChqqpc9
— Megan (@meganMcgloin) December 5, 2018
Then we have this tongue-in-cheek reaction:
PETA compares phrases like "bring home the bacon" to racism and homophobia: https://t.co/TJxz0fdw0N pic.twitter.com/65aoANR5Ku
— Complex (@Complex) December 5, 2018
And these different news sites straight up baiting PETA with photos of juicy bacon and eggs:
PETA wants you to stop saying "bring home the bacon" and other common "anti-animal" phrases https://t.co/4aOuNufsRB pic.twitter.com/rd7kbDCwZc
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 5, 2018
PETA says phrases like 'bring home the bacon' are comparable to racism and homophobia https://t.co/98kb8lxfat pic.twitter.com/Tx272kug7m
— CNN (@CNN) December 5, 2018
Best of all is this simple logic that once again shows how the best intentions are not always met with equally good execution:
Wouldn’t giving a bird a scone be killing them, slowly?
— Landini (@klusterphluff) December 5, 2018
I personally cannot stop laughing at “curiosity thrilled the cat.” Can you think of any creative re-writes?
