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As we all know, words matter. Being careful and intentional with our language goes a long way when striving to make a safer and more inclusive workplace and community. Please read below for a list of commonly used words that can be harmful to communities around you.

CONTENT WARNING: Some of the terms below may be offensive or triggering. Please use caution before scrolling down.

• Ghetto: Often associated with those of low-income background or marginalized communities.
  • Accepted alternatives:
    • Low income
    • Impoverished
    • Low social economic status
• Powwow: A traditional Indigenous practice.
  • Accepted alternatives:
    • Huddle
    • Party
    • Cheer session
    • Debrief
    • Gratitude Circle

• OCD: Self-prescribed mental ailments can cause harm to those around you who actively live with such disabilities.
  • Accepted alternatives:
    • "I am not myself today"
      
    • "I am feeling a bit overwhelmed"

• Savage: What western settlers called Indigenous people
  • This term is offensive and has no effective meaning and should be refrained from usage.

• Crippled: Outdated, offensive term for persons with disabilities.
  • This term is offensive and has no effective meaning and should be refrained from usage.
• Sunshine: Former racial slur used for Black people in the time of enslavement and segregation
  • This term is offensive and has no effective meaning and should be refrained from usage.
• Cakewalk: Former racial slur used for a dancing contest among African Americans in which a cake was awarded as a prize.
  • Accepted alternatives:
    • Easy
    • Very manageable
    • Light work
• Sex Change: This term is harmful to gender-fluid individuals
  • Accepted alternatives:
    • Transitioning

• Low hanging fruit: symbolic connection to the lynching of blacks that occurred frequently for decades.
  • Accepted alternatives:
    • Easy
    • Efficient
    • Easily obtainable

• Peanut gallery: Old reference to a section of the crowd where low-income folks would sit, ultimately discrediting their opinions.

• Spirit animal: A form of cultural appropriation – best practice to avoid this phrase out of respect to Indigenous communities and Neighbours.