Thousands demand Oxford dictionaries `eliminate sexist definitions`
(The Guardian Culture News)

Nearly 30,000 people have signed petition calling on the publisher to cut entries that `discriminate against and patronise women´Almost 30,000 people have signed a petition calling for Oxford University Press to change the `sexist` definitions of the word `woman` in some of its dictionaries.Launched this summer by Maria Beatrice Giovanardi, the petition points out that Oxford dictionaries contain words such as `bitch, besom, piece, bit, mare, baggage, wench, petticoat, frail, bird, bint, biddy, filly` as synonyms for woman. Sentences chosen to show usage of the word woman include: `Ms September will embody the professional, intelligent yet sexy career woman` and `I told you to be home when I get home, little woman`. Such sentences depict `women as sex objects, subordinate, and/or an irritation to men`, the petition says. Continue reading...