Gender neutral terms in sport

[Branton Rover]

Now I’m a cricket fan, I love the game but there’s one thing that rubs me up the wrong way more than anything else in life is gender neutral term’s especially when it’s 11 men versus 11 men.

I’m 51 & can now be considered a grumpy old man, but to call a batsman a ‘batter’ is heresy. And now to compound my disbelief Oli Robinson was sent out to bat for England in the night watchman role to protect a proven batsman & the commentators had the temerity to call him a ‘Night watcher’ !!!! Wtf is happening to our sport.

[SydneyRover]

I actually read a bit about the cricket yesterday and didn't bat an eyelid, I didn't think anything of it. Now you have brought the subject up BR it seems sensible as batswoman is a bit of a gobfull.

[normal rules]

It’s a wonder they still get away with calling the respective games mens and women’s.
It’s probably only a matter of time before the WSL is called something else. Because it only takes one woman to start identifying as a man etc etc. or a cat perhaps?

[Donnywolf]

They might have to become " Catters" then

[DonnyOsmond]

Personally I don't see the issue of a neutral term for both, e.g. batter instead of batsman or batwoman, it's easier to just name the position the same thing in both games. Not really something to get worked up over.

I do not understand the mental gymnastics of the below though? The hell is this crap?

It’s a wonder they still get away with calling the respective games mens and women’s.
It’s probably only a matter of time before the WSL is called something else. Because it only takes one woman to start identifying as a man etc etc. or a cat perhaps?

[i_ateallthepies]

Branton I am totally with you on this, it's been grinding my gears for years.

It is infantile that some in society aren't grown up enough to accept gender specific terms without thinking it is in any way sexist.  'Man' is present in the word 'woman' and batsman simply defines the person's role in the game whether they be male, female... or cat.

[Donnywolf]

What about Third Man , has it gone to Third Person ?

[ravenrover]

Does Slip become undergarment and as for "Silly" point

[BillyStubbsTears]

Of all the things in the world to get upset about...

[ncRover]

I used to think it was silly but it makes sense now. It’s not saying that men can’t automatically be called men or women can’t automatically be called women.

If I was watching woman's sports and there terms like “batswoman” and “woman of the match” being used, I’d think it would sound a bit strange and condescending.

Having standardised terms across the sexes makes it easier for commentators and journalists who might not know what to say otherwise.

[ravenrover]

Of all the things in the world to get upset about...

S'pose it's a bit like arguing about hypothetical points totals

[Metalmicky]

In female rugby (both codes) do they still call a hooker a hooker.......... or has that been banned also?

[ravenrover]

Probably just called by their name

[BillyStubbsTears]

I'm just wondering why folk weren't up in arms at us not using the term "bowlsmam" for the past 150 years.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I used to think it was silly but it makes sense now. It’s not saying that men can’t automatically be called men or women can’t automatically be called women.

If I was watching woman's sports and there terms like “batswoman” and “woman of the match” being used, I’d think it would sound a bit strange and condescending.

Having standardised terms across the sexes makes it easier for commentators and journalists who might not know what to say otherwise.

That gets to the heart of the issue.

"Man" is a throwback to an era when only "men" counted.

Hence "manpower" "mankind" "man-years" "man of God" "manslaughter" "man-made" "chairman" etc.

"Man" implicitly became a cover all term for "human". But not because people thought "we'll just say 'man' and women will appreciate that there's no slight intended and it covers them as well." Because it never dawned on the people who coined those terms that "woman" mattered at all.

"Batsman" and "Man of the Match" are throwbacks to an era when it was just not on the agenda that they would refer to anything other than "men". All that's happening here is a clear out of some out of date terms. Nowt to get upset about.

[DonnyOsmond]

In female rugby (both codes) do they still call a hooker a hooker.......... or has that been banned also?

The correct term is sex worker.

[turnbull for england]

The renaming that I don't understand is what was a Spanish, Italian etc player is now a Spain Italy player, when did that occur?

[normal rules]

I used to think it was silly but it makes sense now. It’s not saying that men can’t automatically be called men or women can’t automatically be called women.

If I was watching woman's sports and there terms like “batswoman” and “woman of the match” being used, I’d think it would sound a bit strange and condescending.

Having standardised terms across the sexes makes it easier for commentators and journalists who might not know what to say otherwise.

That gets to the heart of the issue.

"Man" is a throwback to an era when only "men" counted.

Hence "manpower" "mankind" "man-years" "man of God" "manslaughter" "man-made" "chairman" etc.

"Man" implicitly became a cover all term for "human". But not because people thought "we'll just say 'man' and women will appreciate that there's no slight intended and it covers them as well." Because it never dawned on the people who coined those terms that "woman" mattered at all.

"Batsman" and "Man of the Match" are throwbacks to an era when it was just not on the agenda that they would refer to anything other than "men". All that's happening here is a clear out of some out of date terms. Nowt to get upset about.

Manslaughter. There’s an interesting word, and one no doubt soon to be confined to history. Cat slaughter anyone ?or feline- slaughter?

[danumdon]

Some of the attitudes demonstrated on here on this topic!

My advise to anyone who has anything about them, get yourself and your family as far away from this sinking cesspit as you can.

This is only the start, things are going to get so much worse.

[BillyStubbsTears]

DD

Russia's the place! They don't put up with none of this nonsense.

[SydneyRover]

Cricket should go back to its roots and play with a ball made from wool and bent bats.

[normal rules]

And imagine footy played with an old lace up leather ball?

[SydneyRover]

Yep just shows how things change, have to change.

[Metalmicky]

In female rugby (both codes) do they still call a hooker a hooker.......... or has that been banned also?

The correct term is sex worker.

I'd imaging they were able to take up any number of on field positions then...