"A person complained. A big corporate instantly buckled. Welcome to 2022.   "
*A person who has the disability associated with the word midget complained.
Does it matter to the sweets? Where once we had Opal Fruits, we have Starburst. Where a Marathon was consumed in years past, we munch on a Snickers. No longer do we use Jif to clean up the mess, but now Cif.
The world changes, things move on  |
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By *aliceWoman
over a year ago
Birmingham |
It's called progress. No-one is harmed by the new name and I'd question the intentions of anyone who thinks this change is problematic. I don't see the diferrence between this and the changes that meant we no longer have golliwogs on marmalade jars. |
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"Snickers is a shit name.
Progress isn’t finding offence in confectionery."
Cif is a shit name too. The excuse given for the rename was differences in the way the letter 'J' is pronounced in other countries. So they went with C-I-F. Pronounced "sif" yes? No. In Castilian Spanish, "ci" = a "th" sound. "Thif".
Lots of things get renamed or discontinued for all sorts (not liquorice) of reasons.
Words change in meaning over time. How many people would invite you to "have a gay day" nowadays? But my Grandmother used that all the time (meaning a happy day). |
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By *yron69 OP Man
over a year ago
Fareham |
"It's called progress. No-one is harmed by the new name and I'd question the intentions of anyone who thinks this change is problematic. I don't see the diferrence between this and the changes that meant we no longer have golliwogs on marmalade jars."
You’d be harmed if you walked into a M&S shop and mistakenly asking for a quarter of midget gems unaware some of the cast for this year’s Snow White panto were in the aisles. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A person complained. A big corporate instantly buckled. Welcome to 2022.
*A person who has the disability associated with the word midget complained.
Does it matter to the sweets? Where once we had Opal Fruits, we have Starburst. Where a Marathon was consumed in years past, we munch on a Snickers. No longer do we use Jif to clean up the mess, but now Cif.
The world changes, things move on "
Whilst the term ‘midget’ *can* be used as an offensive term for such people, it’s also a legitimate everyday word for “small”, much like dwarf etc.
It’s in the dictionary and everything.
I guess it’s all about context and intention.
They’re called midget gems as they’re shaped like small gems.. and have been for years.
There’s no inference that they’re intended as a slight against the disability you mention.
This is different to the likes of the Robertson’s Golly that someone else referred to above, as that clearly WAS a racial depiction and was rightly removed (imho).
It seems to me that some people LOOK to be offended these days, and as soon as someone says “I’m offended by that” then it just HAS to change. Everyone is constantly walking on eggshells fearful that someone will find offence where none was intended!
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"M&S have renamed a popular sweet to Mini Gems so as not to associate the kid’s favourite with Victorian freak shows. Tesco could soon follow too.
"
They need the publicity after Aldi absolutely beat their arse over the Colin Caterpillar cake.   |
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By *yron69 OP Man
over a year ago
Fareham |
"M&S have renamed a popular sweet to Mini Gems so as not to associate the kid’s favourite with Victorian freak shows. Tesco could soon follow too.
They need the publicity after Aldi absolutely beat their arse over the Colin Caterpillar cake. "
Wow I never knew of such cut-throat competition.. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Oh they’re not what I’m thinking of! I was thinking of iced gems  . I do like them  "
Iced gems are amazing! The wonderful coloured sugar dissolving in your mouth with a lovely biscuit base. What's not to love? |
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"So the MG Midget should be renamed the Mini
Well that's OK that name hasn't been used"
Will still be called a MG Midget as it is not made anymore so this is not offensive as opposed to midget gems as these sweets are still being made.
Has anyone asked the people of Dwarfism if they find midget gems offensive |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Snickers is a shit name.
Progress isn’t finding offence in confectionery.
I agree on both counts."
I agree three. Funny how people think this advances society. |
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"So the MG Midget should be renamed the Mini
Well that's OK that name hasn't been used
Will still be called a MG Midget as it is not made anymore so this is not offensive as opposed to midget gems as these sweets are still being made.
Has anyone asked the people of Dwarfism if they find midget gems offensive "
It was someone with Dwarfism who asked for the name change. The word "midget" is considered very offensive to people who have dwarfism. That, I do know. |
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"So the MG Midget should be renamed the Mini
Well that's OK that name hasn't been used
Will still be called a MG Midget as it is not made anymore so this is not offensive as opposed to midget gems as these sweets are still being made.
Has anyone asked the people of Dwarfism if they find midget gems offensive
It was someone with Dwarfism who asked for the name change. The word "midget" is considered very offensive to people who have dwarfism. That, I do know. "
I can understand if you called someone with dwarfism a midget they would be offended but to be offended by midget gems really |
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"So the MG Midget should be renamed the Mini
Well that's OK that name hasn't been used
Will still be called a MG Midget as it is not made anymore so this is not offensive as opposed to midget gems as these sweets are still being made.
Has anyone asked the people of Dwarfism if they find midget gems offensive
It was someone with Dwarfism who asked for the name change. The word "midget" is considered very offensive to people who have dwarfism. That, I do know.
I can understand if you called someone with dwarfism a midget they would be offended but to be offended by midget gems really "
It's not me that reported it. I'm just repeating what the original complainant has given as the reason.
Many people don't realise that "midget" is offensive to certain people. I've heard people refer to people with dwarfism in that way many times. |
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Definition of midget
1: something (such as an animal) much smaller than usual
2sometimes offensive : a very small person and especially one of unusually small size
3: a front-engine, single-seat, open-wheel racing car smaller and of less engine displacement than standard cars of the type
Some people with dwarfism might THINK they own the word, but they don't. Are we going to stop calling gingernuts by that name, because redheads get called gingernut? No, and nobody is calling for it. One academic suggested the ban on midget gems and the corporate world pissed it's knickers. |
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"Guys, guys, guys... It's a fucking sweet
Erm I’m not a guy! Im offended
Guy Fawkes is turning in his grave. Well. What's left of him...
Let's be pedantic his name was guidius fawkes"
I thought it was Guido. Anyway, we split hairs. Poor Guy was split a lot more than that  |
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"So the MG Midget should be renamed the Mini
Well that's OK that name hasn't been used
Will still be called a MG Midget as it is not made anymore so this is not offensive as opposed to midget gems as these sweets are still being made.
Has anyone asked the people of Dwarfism if they find midget gems offensive
It was someone with Dwarfism who asked for the name change. The word "midget" is considered very offensive to people who have dwarfism. That, I do know.
I can understand if you called someone with dwarfism a midget they would be offended but to be offended by midget gems really
It's not me that reported it. I'm just repeating what the original complainant has given as the reason.
Many people don't realise that "midget" is offensive to certain people. I've heard people refer to people with dwarfism in that way many times. "
My advice.. be very careful when posting news items. Unless it's all over the news these fabbers go nuts..
Can I say nuts? Sorry if that's offensive... |
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"So the MG Midget should be renamed the Mini
Well that's OK that name hasn't been used
Will still be called a MG Midget as it is not made anymore so this is not offensive as opposed to midget gems as these sweets are still being made.
Has anyone asked the people of Dwarfism if they find midget gems offensive
It was someone with Dwarfism who asked for the name change. The word "midget" is considered very offensive to people who have dwarfism. That, I do know.
I can understand if you called someone with dwarfism a midget they would be offended but to be offended by midget gems really
It's not me that reported it. I'm just repeating what the original complainant has given as the reason.
Many people don't realise that "midget" is offensive to certain people. I've heard people refer to people with dwarfism in that way many times.
My advice.. be very careful when posting news items. Unless it's all over the news these fabbers go nuts..
Can I say nuts? Sorry if that's offensive..."
Saying nuts might be offensive to Eunuchs |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Interesting thread
Some people find the word offensive and complain
Some people find changing the word offensive and complain about people who want to change the word.
This is the way
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I’m in marketing so know all too well about having to change name. Companies rarely bow to the pressure of one or 2 consumers. They change either because they have to because of litigation through the courts, being efficient so they can share same marketing activities and products across countries (the real reason behind Jif to Cif), or if there is a mass discontent that will lead to their brand massively declining…but when they do there is a lot of big money research on consumers to switch to the right name…but you can never get something 100% will be happy with.
Now back to what I’m actually on Fab for… |
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By *yron69 OP Man
over a year ago
Fareham |
"I don’t understand the attitude that says I’d rather deliberately upset someone than make a change that costs me nothing. "
I don’t understand the internet voice that says softly, softly don’t type what I really think.
A true democracy is built upon thoughts and attitudes not tackling every perceived breach of eternal niceness. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I don’t understand the attitude that says I’d rather deliberately upset someone than make a change that costs me nothing.
I don’t understand the internet voice that says softly, softly don’t type what I really think.
A true democracy is built upon thoughts and attitudes not tackling every perceived breach of eternal niceness."
Western societies have versions of Democracies. Any version of a (successful) Democracy relies on participation, engagement, debate and processes that allow change.
Not really sure what Democracies have got to do with changing the name of a sweet though. The company that changed the name isnt a democracy.
Ive just been listening to a piece on radio 4 about a para olympic swimmer who is regularly called names he finds unpleasent because of his Dwarfism. Maybe we should listen to the people it affects?
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"I don’t understand the attitude that says I’d rather deliberately upset someone than make a change that costs me nothing. "
Amen!
I know it might seem an unnecessary change to some, but what's the harm is not using a word that is highly offensive to some people?
Really doesn't change the price of fish for the majority of people, but might help some people feel more at ease, which can't be a bad thing. It's just about being as inclusive as possible, surely... |
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By *yron69 OP Man
over a year ago
Fareham |
"I don’t understand the attitude that says I’d rather deliberately upset someone than make a change that costs me nothing.
I don’t understand the internet voice that says softly, softly don’t type what I really think.
A true democracy is built upon thoughts and attitudes not tackling every perceived breach of eternal niceness.
Western societies have versions of Democracies. Any version of a (successful) Democracy relies on participation, engagement, debate and processes that allow change.
Not really sure what Democracies have got to do with changing the name of a sweet though. The company that changed the name isnt a democracy.
Ive just been listening to a piece on radio 4 about a para olympic swimmer who is regularly called names he finds unpleasent because of his Dwarfism. Maybe we should listen to the people it affects?
"
Democracy is about majority views and allowing opinions to be expressed even if unpopular .
My comment was directed at a particular view and not at all suggesting that the rebranding of sweets was an attack on it.
If you want everyone to be heard, and that’s fair then listen to the old, ugly, obese, working class and a whole host of others too. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"M&S have renamed a popular sweet to Mini Gems so as not to associate the kid’s favourite with Victorian freak shows. Tesco could soon follow too.
"
we talking miget gems |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"A person complained. A big corporate instantly buckled. Welcome to 2022.
*A person who has the disability associated with the word midget complained.
Does it matter to the sweets? Where once we had Opal Fruits, we have Starburst. Where a Marathon was consumed in years past, we munch on a Snickers. No longer do we use Jif to clean up the mess, but now Cif.
The world changes, things move on "
those changed because most of the world called them that except UK so came in line with rest not really the same. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Looking at this, the name change appears to have been driven by a campaign by a university professor, herself a person of restricted growth, who coincidentally or not has a book on the subject to be pushed.
I can't see it affecting animals or plants with the name, disabled people have long lost the tag spastic, though it's still used elsewhere eg spastic colon. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I don’t understand the attitude that says I’d rather deliberately upset someone than make a change that costs me nothing.
I don’t understand the internet voice that says softly, softly don’t type what I really think.
A true democracy is built upon thoughts and attitudes not tackling every perceived breach of eternal niceness.
Western societies have versions of Democracies. Any version of a (successful) Democracy relies on participation, engagement, debate and processes that allow change.
Not really sure what Democracies have got to do with changing the name of a sweet though. The company that changed the name isnt a democracy.
Ive just been listening to a piece on radio 4 about a para olympic swimmer who is regularly called names he finds unpleasent because of his Dwarfism. Maybe we should listen to the people it affects?
Democracy is about majority views and allowing opinions to be expressed even if unpopular .
My comment was directed at a particular view and not at all suggesting that the rebranding of sweets was an attack on it.
If you want everyone to be heard, and that’s fair then listen to the old, ugly, obese, working class and a whole host of others too."
No one is saying we shouldnt listen to the groups you list. |
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"Looking at this, the name change appears to have been driven by a campaign by a university professor, herself a person of restricted growth, who coincidentally or not has a book on the subject to be pushed.
I can't see it affecting animals or plants with the name, disabled people have long lost the tag spastic, though it's still used elsewhere eg spastic colon."
No, the word spastic, or its abbreviation, is still used as an insult in 2022. It was directed at me and my young daughter as we travelled by wheelchair to school on Tuesday. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"It's called progress. No-one is harmed by the new name and I'd question the intentions of anyone who thinks this change is problematic. I don't see the diferrence between this and the changes that meant we no longer have golliwogs on marmalade jars."
It’s not called “progress” it’s called “taking offence” & taking it personally” lol it’s it sweetie for goodness sake. I don’t personally like them, but the next thing to go will be Gummy Bears, because some people don’t have teeth…..  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"They’ll always be midget gems to me  even if they pull down the midget statue I’ll still call them midget gems. "
I wonder if you’ll be arrested if you ask in M&S where the Midget Gems are? Might try that out tomorrow |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Looking at this, the name change appears to have been driven by a campaign by a university professor, herself a person of restricted growth, who coincidentally or not has a book on the subject to be pushed.
I can't see it affecting animals or plants with the name, disabled people have long lost the tag spastic, though it's still used elsewhere eg spastic colon."
I agree, I cannot see Midget Gems having the name changed to Mini Gems being perceived by animals or plants. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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If I had a time machine, I'd go back a fortnight. And do a thread, I'd call that thread, How strongly do you feel about Midget Gems? I can imagine how many posts that thread would get. |
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