Above Political Correctness

[Osterbaum]

In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.

In respect to social discussions I'm willing to use another term, but in relation to biology (humans included) hermaphrodite is perfectly valid for "an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes".

[Kerensky287]

Okay, "it's inaccurate" is as good of a reason as any. Thanks, Fen.

But I feel the rest of my statement stands. What precedent has to be set before someone's complaint about an identifying statement can be seen as "legitimate"?

[Solid Snake]

Originally Posted by Osterbaum

In respect to social discussions I'm willing to use another term, but in relation to biology (humans included) hermaphrodite is perfectly valid for "an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes".

Did you...did you actually read the article Fenris linked to?
Particularly the part about why intersex individuals object to the term "hermaphrodite?"

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Originally Posted by TDK

Don't suppose it would help if I clarified that the person I told Fuck You to for telling me to be PC was not the target of the Non-PC term I used?

Wrong, that is exactly what you did. When you defended the use of the identification of certain people as "abnormal" despite how hurtful it was (ceding the point that it was hurtful) because you didn't care whether or not you offended "abnormal" people, you did it to someone who openly identified as paranormative* in numerous ways.

This really couldn't possibly be more cut-and-dry.

*my word do not steal

[Osterbaum]

Yes, and I said that I certainly see no problem in calling such people 'intersex individuals'. I will, however keep using the term hermaphrodite where it applies.

e: Snake, I'm guessing you had this

Originally Posted by Article

“It usually suggests to people that someone has all the organs of males and females—but that is not physically possible. The medical profession came to a consensus about three years ago to get rid of all terms based on the root ‘hermaphrodite’ (including ‘pseudo-hermaphrodite’) because they are stigmatizing and confusing.”

part in mind.

I guess I should clarify that

Originally Posted by me

I will, however keep using the term hermaphrodite where it applies.

that "where it applies" to me is my field of study, which is animal physiology. The term will be used to describe people when people are being discussed or studied in relation to animals. (Because many animals are actual hermaphrodites.)

I in no way mean to defend the use of the word in everyday usage in relation to human beings on the grounds that "that's how it's always been", which I think might have been what it seemed like I was doing before this clarification.

[Magus]

To me "cisgender" just seems like the term "heterosexual" i.e. a common term used by scientific folks to avoid confusion or save time. If you want to go out of your way to not use it, then by all means, do, but it would probably save you time, especially when conversing with a dude dropping all kinds of "-genders" and "-sexuals" a mile a minute.

Hell, "heterosexual" or "homosexual" saves time in regular life anyway, especially with kids who tend to, in their immaturity, use "gay" to describe anything and everything, for example.

I mean, hell, intersex is less syllables than hermaphrodite and easier to remember, if intersex people want people to use intersex frankly it seems like more trouble to go out of one's way to say hermaphrodite. At least with midget/dwarf v. little person you could argue midget/dwarf is simpler.

[Solid Snake]

Originally Posted by Magus

I mean, hell, intersex is less syllables than hermaphrodite and easier to remember, if intersex people want people to use intersex frankly it seems like more trouble to go out of one's way to say hermaphrodite. At least with midget/dwarf v. little person you could argue midget/dwarf is simpler.

I am not sure why the number of syllables in a particular word should matter in determining which word is inoffensive and should be used in conversation.

[Osterbaum]

I doubt Magus meant that as an actual entirely serious point.

[Magus]

'Cause it happens to be less offensive apparently and you are just going out of your way to not be politically correct to use the other. The entire spiel of people who decry political correctness is it somehow an inconvenience to them, when presented with things that are actually more convenient that they continue to avoid kind of reveals that they are actually just kind of insensitive and callous.

Also everything I say is 100% serious all the time.

...or is it?!

[Nikose Tyris]

Oster's got it right. use a term where it applies properly.