His right hand man?_其他_趣味英语-查字典英语网

His right hand man?

Some institutions have urged workers to watch out for gender bias or sexism in language.

The Learning and Skills Council wants staff to “perfect” their brief rather than “master” it while Newcastle University reckons “master bedroom” can be problematic.

The National Gallery in London says the phrase gentleman’s agreement may be considered offensive to women and suggests using “unwritten agreement” or “agreement based on trust” instead.

The phrase right-hand man is also considered taboo, with “second in command” thought more suitable. Advice issued by the South West Regional Development Agency says: “Terms such as black sheep of the family, black looks and black mark have no direct link to skin colour but potentially serve to reinforce a negative view of all things black.

“Equally, certain terms imply a negative image of black by reinforcing the positive aspects of white.

“For example, in the context of being above suspicion, the phrase whiter than white is often used. Purer than pure or cleaner than clean are alternatives which do not infer that anything other than white should be regarded with suspicion.”

- Right-hand man, gentleman's agreement and whiter than white: PC quangos ban common phrases to avoid causing offence, MailOnLine.co.uk, August 24, 2009.

2. Rupert Murdoch, who pushed out his longtime No 2 Peter Chernin earlier this year, has lured another former News Corporation stalwart back to the media conglomerate to be his right-hand man.