https://itcommunity.stanford.edu/ehli Skip to main content Stanford University SUNet Login Home IT Community Main navigation * Governance + CIO Council + IT Organizations + Technology Councils * Planning + Campus IT Plan + Overview + Explore the plan + Summits + Plan Your Virtual Events + Virtual Events Technology Guide * Programs + Leadership Programs + Overview + Information Technology Leadership Program (ITLP) + Stanford Technical Leaders Program (STLP) + XTLP Alumni Community + IDEAL IT + Overview + Accessibility in IT + Neurodiversity in IT + Year Up Internship Program + Stanford Women in Technology + People of Color in Technology + IDEAL IT Foundations + Development Programs + IT Experiential Development Program (IT EDP) + IT Mentoring Program * News * Events + Upcoming Events + Event Recordings + Event Series + Allyship at Work + Conversations with Extraordinary Leaders + #IamRemarkable * Connect IT + Overview + Connect with Colleagues + IT Community Champions Search [ ] Search Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative The Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative (EHLI) is a multi-phase, multi-year project to address harmful language in IT at Stanford. EHLI is one of the actions prioritized in the Statement of Solidarity and Commitment to Action, which was published by the Stanford CIO Council (CIOC) and People of Color in Technology (POC-IT) affinity group in December 2020. The goal of the Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative is to eliminate* many forms of harmful language, including racist, violent, and biased (e.g., disability bias, ethnic bias, ethnic slurs, gender bias, implicit bias, sexual bias) language in Stanford websites and code. The purpose of this website is to educate people about the possible impact of the words we use. Language affects different people in different ways. We are not attempting to assign levels of harm to the terms on this site. We also are not attempting to address all informal uses of language. This website focuses on potentially harmful terms used in the United States, starting with a list of everyday language and terminology.** Our "suggested alternatives" are in line with those used by peer institutions and within the technology community.*** Content Warning: This website contains language that is offensive or harmful. Please engage with this website at your own pace. Expand all categoriesCollapse all categories Ableist Ableist language is language that is offensive to people who live with disabilities and/or devalues people who live with disabilities. The unintentional use of such terms furthers the belief that people who live with disabilities are abnormal. Instead of Consider using Context person with a Using person-first language helps to addict substance use not define people by just one of disorder their characteristics. Trivializes the experiences of addicted hooked, devoted people who deal with substance abuse issues. Originally referred to one who has basket case nervous lost all four limbs and therefore needed to be carried around in a basket. Unintentionally perpetuates that blind review anonymous review disability is somehow abnormal or negative, furthering an ableist culture. Unintentionally perpetuates that blind study masked study disability is somehow abnormal or negative, furthering an ableist culture. committed Ableist language that trivializes suicide died by suicide the experiences of people living with mental health conditions. Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of confined to person who uses a their characteristics. Also, users a wheelchair wheelchair of wheelchairs often find them to be an essential tool for their freedom instead of thinking of them as a prison. Ableist language that trivializes crazy surprising/wild the experiences of people living with mental health conditions. cripple (n), person with a Ableist language that trivializes crippled disability the experiences of people living (adj) with disabilities. disabled, impaired Unnecessarily equates the weakening crippled (v) or weakened of something with people living with disabilities. Once used to describe a person who dumb non-vocal, could not speak and implied the non-verbal person was incapable of expressing themselves. handicap Ableist language that trivializes parking accessible parking the experiences of people living with disabilities. person with a Using person-first language helps to handicapped disability not define people by just one of their characteristics. handicapped Ableist language that trivializes space accessible space the experiences of people living with disabilities. Ableist language that trivializes insane surprising/wild the experiences of people living with mental health conditions. Ableist language that can trivialize lame boring, uncool the experience of people living with disabilities. person living with Using person-first language helps to mentally ill a mental health not define people by just one of condition their characteristics. Ableist language that trivializes OCD detail-oriented the experiences of people living with mental health conditions. person with a This term generalizes a population paraplegic spinal cord injury, of people while also implying that person who is people with disabilities are not paralyzed capable. person with a This term generalizes a population quadriplegic spinal cord injury, of people while also implying that person who is people with disabilities are not paralyzed capable. person with a cognitive This term is a slur against those retard (n) disability, person who are neurodivergent or have a with autism, cognitive disability. neurodivergent person This term is a slur against those retarded who are neurodivergent or have a (adj) boring, uncool cognitive disability. It should not be used to make a point about a person, place or thing. confidence check, This term could be offensive to sanity check coherence check, those dealing with mental health fact check issues. Ableist language that trivializes spaz clumsy the experiences of people living with disabilities. stand up Ableist language that trivializes meeting quick meeting the experiences of people living with disabilities. Ableist language that trivializes tone deaf unenlightened the experiences of people living with disabilities. drop-in, open Ableist language that trivializes walk-in office the experiences of people living with disabilities. Using person-first language helps to not define people by just one of wheelchair person who uses a their characteristics. Also, users bound wheelchair of wheelchairs often find them to be an essential tool for their freedom instead of thinking of them as a prison. Ageism Ageist language singles out a person based on their age instead of their qualifications. Instead Consider Context of using gray the person's It calls out an older, and presumably more beard name experienced, IT or cybersecurity person by referring to their age instead of their name. person This term is often used disparagingly to refer senile suffering to older people whose mental faculties appear from senility to be in decline. Colonialism Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. It is better to avoid terms that derive from colonialism. Instead of Consider using Context Philippines or The term is politically incorrect and Philippine the Republic of denotes colonialism. Some people of Islands the Philippines Filipino heritage might use the term, though. Culturally Appropriative Culturally appropriative language misuses terms that hold meaning to a particular culture in a way that often lacks respect or appreciation. Instead of Consider using Context This term perpetuates the stereotype of Brave (n) none/do not use the "noble courageous savage," equating the Indigenous male as being less than a man. Using this term is cultural bury the call for peace, appropriation of a centuries-old hatchet call a truce tradition among some North American Indigenous Peoples who buried their tools of war as a symbol of peace. Calling a non-Indigenous person "chief" trivializes both the hereditary and chief the person's name elected chiefs in Indigenous communities. Calling an Indigenous person "chief" is a slur. none/only use when Geronimo was a famous leader and Geronimo discussing the medicine man whose name is used today historical figure as a caricature of the brave warrior, often during "macho" pursuits. expert, subject matter expert In the Buddhist and Hindu traditions, guru (SME), primary, the word is a sign of respect. Using it leader, teacher, casually negates its original value. guide Trivializes something that is sacred to low man on lacking seniority, Indigenous peoples. Also, in some First the totem don't have the Nation communities, being low on the pole power or prestige totem pole is actually a higher honor than being on top. The term also reinforces male-dominated language. Cultural appropriation of a term that on the mad, on the referred to the route taken by warpath offensive Indigenous people heading toward a battle with an enemy. This is a slur and should not be used Pocahontas the person's name to address an Indigenous woman unless that is her actual name. pow wow, Using this term in this manner demeans powwow meet, get together a term of cultural significance to (verb) Indigenous peoples. favorite animal, The term refers to an animal spirit spirit animal I most that guides/protects one on a journey, animal admire or would so to equate it with an animal one like to be likes is to demean the significance of the term. too many a lack of clear chiefs, direction, too Trivializes the structure of Indigenous not enough many competing communities. indians ideas tribal institutional This term trivializes the ancestral knowledge knowledge knowledge handed down through generations of Indigenous peoples. friends, network, Historically used to equate Indigenous tribe family, support people with savages. system Gender-Based Gender-based language includes a range of words and phrases that are not helpful, and, in many cases, are exclusionary. Some people may not mind having the term(s) applied to them or even prefer having the term used. It's always preferable to ask a person how they want to be addressed instead of making assumptions. Instead of Consider using Context The word "preferred" suggests "preferred" pronouns that non-binary gender pronouns identity is a choice and a preference. balls to the wall accelerate efforts Attributes personality traits to anatomy. ballsy bold, risk-taker Attributes personality traits to anatomy. chairman/ Lumps a group of people using chairwoman chairperson, chair gender binary language, which doesn't include everyone. congressman/ congressperson, Lumps a group of people using congresswoman legislator gender binary language, which doesn't include everyone. Lumps a group of people using fireman/firemen firefighter(s) masculine language and/or into gender binary groups, which don't include everyone. Lumps a group of students freshman frosh, first-year using masculine language and/ student or into gender binary groups that don't include everyone. Lumps a group of people using gentlemen everyone masculine language and/or into gender binary groups, which don't include everyone. guys folks, people, This term reinforces everyone male-dominated language. have the balls to bold, risk-taker Attributes personality traits to anatomy. Unless you know the person you're addressing uses "he" as he person's name or their pronoun, it is better to "they" use "they" or to ask the person which pronouns they use. hermaphrodite This term has historically (referring to a intersex person been used as a slur against person) LGBTQ+ people. Lumps a group of people using ladies everyone gender binary language that doesn't include everyone. Lumps a group of people using landlord/landlady property owner gender binary language, which doesn't include everyone. Lumps a group of public mail person, postal servants using masculine mailman carrier, letter language and/or into gender carrier binary groups, which don't include everyone. man (verb) staff This term reinforces male-dominated language. man hours person hours, effort This term reinforces hours, labor time male-dominated language. man-in-the-middle person-in-the-middle This term reinforces male-dominated language. mankind people, humankind, This term reinforces human beings male-dominated language. manmade made by hand This term reinforces male-dominated language. workforce, staffing, This term reinforces manpower staff resources, male-dominated language. personnel resources policeman / Lumps a group of people using policemen / police officer(s) gender binary language, which policewoman / doesn't include everyone. policewomen seminal leading, This term reinforces groundbreaking male-dominated language. Unless you know the person you're addressing uses "she" she person's name or as their pronoun, it is better "they" to use "they" or to ask the person which pronouns they use. This slur is often used disparagingly to refer to transgender woman, people who don't conform to shemale trans woman gender expectations. Some in the community do identify with and self-describe as the term, though. This slur is often used transgender person, disparagingly to refer to trans or people who don't conform to tranny, trannie non-gendering gender expectations. Some in conforming folk the community do identify with and self-describe as the term, though. This term avoids connections that being transgender is transgendered transgender something that is done to a person and/or that some kind of transition is required. This term has historically transsexual transgender person, been used as a slur against (unless used trans or LGBTQ+ people. Some in the medically) non-gendering community do identify with and conforming folk self-describe as the term, though. Lumps a group of people using you guys folks, people, masculine language and/or into everyone gender binary groups, which don't include everyone. Imprecise Language Imprecise language is terms that utilize euphemisms, vagueness, or inaccurate words to not say what one is trying to say. Instead of Consider using Context This term can unintentionally abort cancel/end raise religious/moral concerns over abortion. This term often refers to people from the United States only, American US Citizen thereby insinuating that the US is the most important country in the Americas (which is actually made up of 42 countries). child child who has been Using person-first language helps prostitute trafficked to not define people by just one of their characteristics. Hollywood movies about settlers migrating west contributed greatly to the formation of this phrase, circle the take a defensive which means that "savages" are wagons position coming and a group of (White) people is about to be attacked. It also paints Indigenous Peoples as the aggressors. This term is generally considered person of multiple to be a slur against those of half-breed ethnicities mixed race. Some in the community do identify with and self-describe as the term, though. Although widely used to describe people from Spanish-speaking countries outside of Spain, its Latinx, use country roots lie in Spain's colonization Hispanic of origin of South American countries. Instead of referring to someone as Hispanic because of their name or appearance, ask them how they identify themselves first. person who takes This term likely derives from something back that misunderstandings about trade was given, one who customs in early relationships Indian giver expects an equivalent between Indigenous people and gift in return for White settlers. It is a slur that one that was given should not be used to describe anyone. This term infers that Indigenous people are chronically late. While Indian it may be innocently used to summer late summer describe a beautiful time of year, it could have an unintended negative impact on those who hear it. demanding or entitled This term is used to ridicule or Karen White woman demean a certain group of people based on their behaviors. person of Asian descent. Better yet, This term is seen as pejorative as Oriental use the specific it racializes people of Asian cultural heritage descent as forever opposite (Chinese, Japanese, "others." (Occidental vs Oriental) etc.) if known. This term refers to the cheapest peanut audience, hecklers or and worst section in theaters gallery critics where many Black people sat during the Vaudeville era. people of BIPOC (Black, If speaking about a specific color (used Indigenous, and group, name that group. generically) People of Color) This term implies that anyone who straight heterosexual is not heterosexual is bent or not "normal." Once used to describe a person who stupid boring, uncool could not speak and implied the person was incapable of expressing themselves. person who has Using person-first language helps experienced..., to not define people by just one survivor person who has been of their experiences. If the impacted by... person identifies with the term, then use it. tarbaby difficult problem This is a dismissive term for a Black person. Although the term refers to a violent person or criminal, it thug suspect or criminal often takes on a racist connotation when used in certain circles. While often associated with one who uses (software, systems, services), it can also negatively user client be associated with those who suffer from substance abuse issues or those who exploit others for their own gain. person who has Using person-first language helps experienced..., to not define people by just one victim person who has been of their experiences. If the impacted by... person identifies with the term, then use it. Institutionalized Racism Institutionalized Racism is racism that is embedded in the laws and regulations of a society or an organization. It can be seen in processes, attitudes, and behavior through prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness, and racist stereotyping. Instead of Consider using Context specific name The term indicates any socially barrio of segregated non-white neighborhood. neighborhood malicious, black hat criminal, Assigns negative connotations to the unethical color black, racializing the term. hacker something that Assigns negative connotations to the black mark is held color black, racializing the term. against one black sheep Assigns negative connotations to the (referring to outcast color black, racializing the term. a person) blackballed banned, denied Assigns negative connotations to the color black, racializing the term. hidden, mystery box, Assigns negative connotations to the blackbox opaque box, color black, racializing the term. flight recorder blacklist/ denylist/ Assigns negative connotations to the blacklisted disallowed color black, racializing the term. Historically associated with the "brown lunch and paper bag test" that certain Black brown bag learn, tech sororities and fraternities used to talk judge skin color. Those whose skin color was darker than the brown bag were not allowed to join. Enslaved people covertly used exaggerated dance to mock their cakewalk easy, simple enslavers. This turned into "balls" that the White enslavers would hold for entertainment where the prize was a cake. Unnecessarily invokes the notion of gangbusters very police action against "gangs" in a successful positive light, which may have racial undertones. use The term indicates any socially ghetto neighborhood's segregated non-white neighborhood. name This term has its roots in the grandfather legacy "grandfather clause" adopted by Southern states to deny voting rights to Blacks. This term has its roots in the grandfathered legacy status "grandfather clause" adopted by Southern states to deny voting rights to Blacks. Hacker who exploits a weakness in cyber defense to bring the weakness to the gray hat hacktivist attention of the owner, with the goal of hacker improving security. This term combines black hat and white hat, which both hold racial connotations. Historically, masters enslaved people, master (adj) primary, main didn't consider them human and didn't allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided. Historically, masters enslaved people, master (v) become adept didn't consider them human and didn't in allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided. list of Historically, masters enslaved people, master list record, didn't consider them human and didn't canonical list allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided. "Red" is often used disparagingly to red team cyber offense refer to Indigenous peoples, so its use team in this context could be offensive to some groups. This term refers to the practice of removing a piece of an enemy's scalp scalper/ with hair still attached. Although both scalping colonizers and Indigenous Peoples (referring to reseller/ performed the practice, it was used as sales or opportunist proof of how savage the Natives were. trade) Yet the colonizers were the ones who paid cash bounties for Native scalps, as has been documented in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Historically, masters enslaved people, Scrum Master agile lead, didn't consider them human and didn't scrum leader allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided. The historical context of this term secondary, involved oppression of a group of people slave (adj) replica, who were enslaved, thought of as less worker than human and unable to exercise free will. unfair work References a time when enslavement of slave labor practices, people (in particular Black Americans) underpaid, was allowed. overworked sold down the This term originally referred to a river betrayed person who was enslaved who was sold as punishment. While the term refers to an archive that tarball tar archive has been created with the tar command, it can be negatively associated with the pejorative term tarbaby. to call Although the term has its origins in to call a something what Greek literature, the subsequent spade a spade it is / negative connotations with the word / calling a calling "spade" means that the phrase should be spade a spade something what used with caution or not at all. it is Although the term originated in the Black community to describe another arrogant, Black person who didn't know their uppity stuck up socioeconomic place, it was quickly adopted by White Supremacists to describe any Black person who didn't act as "expected." Historically, masters enslaved people, webmaster, web product didn't consider them human and didn't web master owner allow them to express free will, so this term should generally be avoided. white hat Assigns value connotations based on hacker ethical hacker color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized. Assigns value connotations based on white paper position paper color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized. cyber exercise Assigns value connotations based on white team cell color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized. visible, clear Assigns value connotations based on whitebox box color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized. Assigns value connotations based on whitelist allowlist color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized. Assigns value connotations based on whitespace empty space color (white = good), an act which is subconsciously racialized. yellow team DevSecOps team "Yellow" is often used disparagingly against people of Asian descent. Person-First The use of person-first language helps everyone to resist defining others by a single characteristic or experience if that person doesn't wish to be defined that way. Some people may not mind having the term(s) applied to them or may even prefer having them used. It's always preferable to ask a person how they want to be addressed instead of making assumptions. Instead of Consider using Context person who is/ Using person-first language helps to not convict was define people by just one of their incarcerated characteristics. "Disabled person" implies that the disabled person with a disability defines a person, whereas person disability "Person with a disability" gives the ownership of the disability to the person. homeless person without Using person-first language helps to not person housing define people by just one of their characteristics. person who has Using person-first language helps to not immigrant immigrated, define people by just one of their non-citizen characteristics. person who is/ Using person-first language helps to not prisoner was define people by just one of their incarcerated characteristics. prostitute person who Using person-first language helps to not (n) engages in sex define people by just one of their work characteristics. Violent Violent language is often used casually and without ill intent. It often involves imagery that may be upsetting to the recipient of such language though. We recommend using non-violent alternatives whenever possible. Instead of Consider using Context abusive relationship with an The relationship doesn't commit relationship abusive person abuse. A person does, so it is important to make that fact clear. beat(ing) a refus(e/ing) to let This expression normalizes violence dead horse something go against animals. double down, work Unnecessary use of violent imagery crack the hard(er),come down that paints the person being whip hard referred to as authoritarian or oppressive. This phrase is rooted in the disagree with the violent removal of Indigenous group, defect from people from their land and the go off the the group, go rogue, horrible consequences for an reservation not think or Indigenous person who left the function properly reservation. This phrase could also fit under the Cultural Appropriation category. kill(ing) two birds accomplish(ing) two This expression normalizes violence with one things at once against animals. stone Doing a good job should not be killing it, doing a great job, equated with death. The term could killed it did a great job also be triggering if someone close to the recipient actually was killed. more than multiple ways to This expression normalizes violence one way to accomplish the task against animals. skin a cat pull the Unnecessarily uses violent imagery trigger give it a go, try to encourage another person to do something. Although no written record exists rule of standard rule, today, this phrase is attributed to thumb general rule an old British law that allowed men to beat their wives with sticks no wider than their thumb. take a shot at, take These terms represent the your best give it a go, try unnecessary use of the imagery of shot at, hurting someone or something. take a stab at The phrase can cause stress about trigger content note what's to follow. Additionally, one warning can never know what may or may not trigger a particular person. war room situation room Unneccesary use of violent language. whipped into organized, put in The phrase has its roots in the shape order punishment of enslaved people to get them to follow the rules. wife beater white ribbed tank This phrase trivializes domestic (t-shirt) top, tank, violence by associating it with a undershirt piece of clothing. Additional Considerations These are terms that don't fit into the other categories but still are important enough to have attention drawn to them. Instead of Consider using Context Black people who were born in the United States can interpret hyphenating their identity as "othering." As with many of the terms we're highlighting, some African-American Black people do prefer to use/be addressed by this term, so it's best to ask a person which term they prefer to have used when addressing them. When used to refer to a person, the "b" should always be capitalized. circle the marshall forces, This phrase suggests an impending wagons gather together attack by the "savages" and should be avoided. Romani (if referring to a person of Romani This term is derived from "gypsy" gip (n) descent) or cheat and relates to the stereotype (if referring to that Romani people are swindlers. someone who is dishonest) cheat (if This term is derived from "gypsy" gip (v) referring to what and relates to the stereotype a dishonest person that Romani people are swindlers. has done) to cheat (someone These terms are derived from gyp (v), gypped out of something), "gypsy" and relate to the (v) cheated/ripped off stereotype that Romani people are swindlers. uneducated or This term assumes that those who hick unsophisicated come from rural environments are person uneducated and/or unsophisticated. person from the This is a derogatory term for hillbilly Appalachian or someone based on the region in Ozark regions of which they live or were born. the US This term was used by German hip-hip hurray, citizens during the Holocaust as hip hip hooray hooray a rallying cry when they would hunt down Jewish citizens living in segregated neighborhoods. hold down the This phrase stems from settlers fort cover the role and soldiers resisting "savages" when "on the warpath." This term is based on a Jewed haggled down stereotype that people of Jewish descent are cheap and/or hoard money. I haven't seen you This phrase was originally used long time no see in so long! to mock Indigenous peoples and Chinese who spoke pidgin English. Originated from stereotypes that no can do I can't do it mocked non-native English speakers. This phrase results in the ordinary person, "othering" of non-White people normal person common person, and those who live with conventional disabilities, mental illness or person disease as not being whole or regular. Unnecessarily correlates corrupt prostitute (v) debase or unworthy purposes with sex work. Depending on the context, the submit process term can imply allowing others to have power over you. Do you have a term you'd like added to the list? Please fill out our suggestion form. Your suggestion will be reviewed and added to the list accordingly. If you don't have a SUNetID to access the suggestions form or if you have other suggestions, please contact us. * We understand that it may not be possible to eliminate all harmful language on our sites and in our code due to costs, resources, or other reasons. "Eliminate" is a goal to strive for even if it can't be achieved. ** How a person wishes to be addressed or identified supersedes any of our suggested alternatives for potentially harmful terms. If you are unsure in a given situation, ask the person with whom you are interacting. *** These are a list of our sources: * Brandeis Suggested Language List * Terminology at XSEDE * Trans Glossary 101 * The Colors of Cybersecurity * Offensive/Profane Word List * List of ethnic slurs (Wikipedia) * Inclusive Language Guide Guides * Getting Started Guide for IT Leaders Connect * IT at Stanford Slack Workspace * Ideas and Feedback * Sign up for monthly newsletter IT Careers * Stanford Careers Stanford University * Stanford Home * Maps & Directions * Search Stanford * Emergency Info * Terms of Use * Privacy * Copyright * Trademark * Non-Discrimination * Accessibility (c)Copyright Stanford University. Stanford, California 94305.