This list contains words and phrases that are offensive and harmful.
Disclaimer: We have opted not to include severely triggering words or phrases that we expect the general population to know not to engage with, without needing to see them on this list.
Here is a list of outdated terms accompanied by a recommended term and an explanation.
Recommended
Refer to each demographic of people as their preferred title. Ex: Black people, Indigenous Peoples, South Asian, Latino/a/ex, etc.
Explanation
This acronym groups all non-white people under one umbrella. It trivializes and minimizes the experiences and barriers faced by different identities, instead assuming all non-white people face the same systemic oppression.
Recommended
Unexpected, surprised
Explanation
Ableist language that trivializes people living with disabilities.
Recommended
Weakness, deficiency, block, shortcomings, weak spot
Explanation
Ableist language that trivializes people living with disabilities.
Recommended
Collaborate, share ideas, whiteboarding, look for suggestions, explore ideas/options/possibilities
Explanation
Ableist language that trivializes the experiences of people living with mental and physical health conditions.
Recommended
Call for peace, forgive and move on, compromise, lesson learned
Explanation
This is cultural appropriation of a centuries-old tradition among some Indigenous cultures that would bury tools of conflict as a symbol of peace.
Recommended
Person with disability
Explanation
Unnecessarily equates the weakening of something with people living with disabilities.
Recommended
Believe whatever you hear, do what you’re told
Explanation
Stems from political cult leader Jim Jones ordering his 900 followers to die by suicide by drinking a grape-flavoured beverage.
Recommended
Equity deserving
Explanation
When we talk about equity-seeking, it sets a framework for people needing to ask for their humanity to be recognized. Historically, these groups have been denied fair and equitable access to resources. To be “seeking” as opposed to “deserving” puts people in a difficult place – asking for equitable treatment.
Recommended
Underserved community
Explanation
Implies a negative connotation toward people of a certain socio-economic class (often associated with racialized groups).
Recommended
Let some people avoid change because they were there before the change was enacted
Explanation
This was a way for White Southerners in America to continue voting over Black people when the government put in literacy tests, poll taxes, and other tactics to prevent Black people from voting.
Recommended
Defrauded, swindled
Explanation
The term(s) is a form of “othering”, perpetuating a negative stereotype about the Roma who travelled across Europe. The term(s) derive from the term gypsy.
Recommended
Accessible: parking/button/space
Explanation
Ableist language that trivializes people living with disabilities.
Recommended
Intersex person
Explanation
This is a historical slur against people with both traditionally female and male biologically sex organs.
Recommended
Keep the office/project/business/task running, take responsibility, carry on, stand in
Explanation
This derives from a historically negative and racially offensive practice of “protecting” against Indigenous peoples.
Recommended
Journeyperson
Explanation
Recenters male-dominated language, assuming only men are capable of successfully doing these careers.
Recommended
Property owner
Explanation
Suggests a binary, and traditionally male, gendered and classist language which is not inclusive of everyone.
Recommended
Newest employee, least experienced, least seniority
Explanation
Trivializes the sacredness of totem poles in Indigenous cultures. Reinforces male-dominant language. Factually incorrect.
Recommended
Staff, workforce, labour force, resources
Explanation
Uses a gendered language that is not inclusive of everyone.
Recommended
Detail-oriented
Explanation
Ableist language that minimizes the experiences and trivializes people living with mental health conditions.
Recommended
Upset, conflict driven, looking for a fight, on the offensive
Explanation
Cultural appropriation that refers to the route taken by Indigenous peoples heading to battle.
Recommended
Audience, crowd, hecklers
Explanation
Used in the 1800’s, the term “peanut gallery” was meant to describe the back or upper-level balcony are where Black people had to sit in segregated theaters.
Recommended
Police officer
Explanation
Suggests a binary, and traditionally male, gendered language which is not inclusive of everyone.
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Get together, impromptu meeting, gathering of people
Explanation
his demeans a tradition and culturally significant ceremony to Indigenous peoples.
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Pronouns
Explanation
Using preferred suggests gender identity, specifically non-binary identity, is a choice rather than a state of being or factual truth.
Recommended
Alter ego, idol, soulmate
Explanation
This demeans the significance of spiritual connection and reverence for nature and ancestors that is deeply rooted across Indigenous cultures. The phrase itself turns that concept into a casual catchphrase that isn’t widely used, or even used at all, among Indigenous people (CBC News).
Recommended
Interested parties, relevant parties, collaborators, partners, participants, rights holders (Indigenous communities specific), customers, groups within the community
Explanation
Indigenous Peoples are “rights and title holders” not “stakeholders”, so avoid this term at all costs. Indigenous title was first recognized by King George III in the Royal Proclamation of 1763 yet Indigenous Peoples continue to struggle to have their constitutionally protected rights recognized. Stakeholder is the blanket term used to describe an individual, group, or organization that stands to be impacted by the outcome of a project. But, the problem with blanket terms is that they tend to be used indiscriminately so there’s a potential to offend. But, and this is the crux of the difference, Indigenous Peoples have the ability to actually bind up a project in legal process because they have constitutionally protected rights. Indigenous communities are not mere stakeholders, they are Rights holders. And that’s the term that should be used.
Recommended
Enlightened
Explanation
Ableist language that trivializes people living with disabilities.
Recommended
Too many cooks in the kitchen, too many competing ideas
Explanation
Trivializes the structure of Indigenous communities.
Recommended
Tradesperson
Explanation
Recenters male-dominated language, assuming only men are capable of successfully doing these careers.
Recommended
Transgender person, trans person
Explanation
This is a slur used against people who are transgender.
Recommended
Community, shared interest group or belief, network, support system
Explanation
Historically used to equate Indigenous people with savages.
Recommended
Apparent/Non-apparent disability, hidden disability
Explanation
Suggests that people living with non-apparent disabilities are “less disabled”, that their disability does not affect their daily lives.
Recommended
Allow list/Deny list, Safe list/Blocked list, Welcome list, Reject list
Explanation
Using whitelist and blacklist associates white with good and black with bad, which reinforces negative connotations surrounding a person’s race.
Recommended
Everyone, folks, people, y’all
Explanation
Recenters male-dominated language.