I can understand being corrected for words that historically are considered hate words or are demeaning to someone's heritage. I would hope that none of us would remain silent on terminology that is said to hurt or to lessen someone in the world.
However, I cannot understand why words such as teacup incites such a fervor that it embarrasses or humiliates the speaker/writer especially when they are newcomers or guests.
In my opinion the rudeness of such is much more damaging than someone using the wrong terminology to describe a Yorkie. There is a better way to gently correct someone and lead them to the "jargon" that graces this breed than to embarrass or ridicule.
To the OP...as others before me have also said, do not be distressed about your choice of words. I'm just grateful to see that you did not let it deter you from returning to the board.
My Yorkie is not a teacup but were she so, I would have no problem hearing her called such because it is just a word. It's not even a word with negative connotations in our society. The word teacup to me conjures up a special, dainty piece of delicate china. Sounds about right for my Yorkie on the days she's acting like a prissy little diva. On the days she's acting out from her wild child persona the word mug might be a better fit!
I don't really care what you call my Yorkie. Words don't have any impact on how special or beloved she is. In fact, if someone can come up with one word that describes her dynamic personalitiy all wrapped up in a five pound bundle of kinetic energy, please let me know. I'll see if I can get the word submitted to Webster's as one of the new words for 2009. I've worked with words all my professional life and still cannot capture the one word that adequately describes my Yorkie. |