Some words and phrases that have been a part of the English language for centuries are now being considered.
But now ‘jump the gun’, ‘roll with the punches’ and even ‘timeouts’ are on a new ultra-woke list to avoid because they’re deemed too ‘violent’.
Instead, safer alternatives are suggested, for example, ‘feed two birds with one scone’ instead of ‘kill two birds with one stone’.
On Saturday, Ms Taylor told DailyMail on Sunday: ‘The guide is for those who want to replace most violently framed idioms with more positive and inclusive language.’
Author Anna Taylor is a Communications Director and ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion’ at technology company Phenomenex.
The guide is titled Evolving from Violent Language and was produced, perhaps surprisingly, in the ultra-woke US state of California.
Illustrated on the right are two columns with one on the left, under the heading ‘Instead of’, listing terms Mrs Taylor found unacceptable, with her alternatives in the right column under ‘Say This’.
The list was shared on Twitter, where it received more than 30 million views. Silicon Valley tech business advisor Jeremiah Wang echoed this, writing: ‘I didn’t even consider my language, I used left-hand phrases too often.’
A woman who works in advertising and marketing added: ‘While it may sound like some “wookie” nonsense, it’s fundamentally solid. How even seemingly innocuous words can inspire violent impulses that harm us when we communicate.’
Another user posted: ‘I’ve been trying to be more aware of my language but I miss a lot of it.’But others have pointed out that some phrases are not based on violence, such as ‘jump the gun’, which refers to runners in an athletics race starting soon.
Publication of the guide will add further controversy to the debate over politically correct use.
Last month, the American news agency Associated Press issued an update to its style guide warning against the use of ‘poor’ and ‘French’ as they are considered demeaning. The update was later removed.
Last night Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, warned: ‘Some people may find these over-the-top suggestions harmful and even amusing.
But it’s not fun at all because language re-engineering disrupts our way of thinking and our way of life. Words tend to inflate meaning in alarming ways.‘
‘They are attributing these phrases to the worst possible motive, rather than taking a step back and saying these expressions have nothing to do with violent intent.’
Professor Furedi, who has already criticized ‘Week’ campaigners for restricting free speech, added: ‘If they can make us feel ashamed of the words we’ve been using for a long time, it’s a way of making us feel ashamed of ourselves. and our culture.’
Ms Taylor said: ‘There is definitely a section – who often appear as white men – who question the guide.’
