Sports Calendar

Claim your free 2010 double sided wall chart

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
November 25, 2004

'Offensive' phrase hit on head

By Simon de Bruxelles
A COUNCIL has banned use of the word “brainstorming” because it could offend people with head injuries. Members of the Labour-controlled Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council have been told to use the phrase “blue sky thinking” instead.

Councillor Leighton Smart, an independent member for the old Welsh mining village of Bedlinog, had suggested having a brainstorming session with a council officer. He was taken aside and told not to use such an expression again.

Mr Smart said yesterday: “This is political correctness getting ridiculous. I took it as a joke at first, but it was meant in all seriousness. I don’t want to upset anyone, but where is the commonsense?

“Brainstorming is just getting heads together to work out problems — I’ve never heard of anyone being offended by it. I refuse to be told what to say.”

A council spokesman said: “We look to apply rules of simple, plain English without any intention of causing offence to any particular groups.”

The brain injury association Headway has urged people not to use the term brainstorming. Its preferred alternative is “ideas cascade”.

Bookmark and Share

Also in UK News

Also in News

Peter Moore released

British former hostage, Peter Moore, in the British Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq

Hostage freed after being held in Iraq for more than two and a half years

Slide Show

Comment     

Giles Coren Columnist
 

That post-Christmas week is when the only thoughts that register are about brie or TV adverts or bargain bags of coal  

More...
Giles Coren

Pictures of the Week

A time exposure photo created using sparklers shows children celebrating on New Year’s eve in Manila

A selection of the best pictures from around the world

Slide Show

National Archives

PA file photo dated 04.05.79 of Margaret Thatcher outside 10 Downing Street following her election as Prime Minister.

The secrets of 1979

How Thatcher gave karate guards the chop

Pictures of the Year

In an attempt to promote their show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the "Lady Boys of Bangkok" gather at the Bedlam paintball venue near South Queensferry, Scotland

A selection of the best news photography from 2009

Slide Show

Comment Central

President Barack Obama

A christmas card to Times readers, from President Obama

School Gate

Children on their way to private school.

Why private schools should be banned

Written by a teacher

Parent Power

Parent Power

Britain's best schools

The Sunday Times Parent Power: the definitive guide to the UK's best schools

Most Read

Skip Most Read

Today

MOST COMMENTED

Skip Editor's Pick

Today

MOST CURIOUS

Skip Most Curious

Today

Focus Zone

accenture

Need to Know:

Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast

ba business travel clouds

Business Travel:

Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip

Winter Sports

Winter Sports:

Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports

lloyds

Mapping Business:

We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?

Shell

The Future of Energy:

Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge

high-speed trains

Europe by Train:

With rail travel in Europe on the rise, we review the benefits of travelling by train

Dinner party

My Dinner Party:

In this special section we explore new food trends to help improve your dinner party and impress guests

More Reports

More reports:

Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more

previous next
The Singapore skyline pictured at night

Business city guides

Overseas contacts and local business information

Business Directory

Business Directory

Search for local businesses & services

Generic photo of a job interview.

Free CV Review

Sell yourself! Have your CV reviewed by experts

Money symbol on computer key

Find an IFA

Find a local independent financial advisor

crossword with Cross fountain pen.

Crossword Club

Sign up today or try one of our free demo crosswords

A lawyer with gown and wig

Find a Lawyer

Cut your legal costs

Sudoku

Online Sudoku with daily prizes

Popular Searches on Times Online

2010 movies | books | copenhagen 2009 | crosswords | fashion | formula 1 | mortgages | obituaries | pensions | property | recipes | redundancy calculator | savings | sudoku | twitter | university guide | wine

Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

Classifieds 

Cars

Skip Cars of the Week

Ferrari F355 F1

1998
£47,955

Lamborghini Gallardo

2004
£56,950
Essex

Apply for car finance?

Check your free Experian credit report before applying


Jobs

Skip Jobs of the Week
Commercial Director

c. £70,000
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Windsor

Law Commissioner for England and Wales

£123,460 pa
The Law Commission
London

General Finance Roles


Southwark County Council

Chief Executive

£100,000
Home Office
Liverpool

Properties

Eager to get on the property ladder?

Find out about shared ownership.

Looking for a Mortgage?

See your free Experian credit report beforehand

Holidays

Skip Travel of the Week

Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket & Dubai from only £1199!

Includes flights, accommodation with room upgrades, transfers city tours in Hong Kong and Bangkok.
PremierHolidays.co.uk

Ski Weekend Specialists since 1986

For your ultimate tailor-made ski holiday, click here


Great Travel Insurance

Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com


Hawaii free nights, breakfasts, upgrades & more!

Choose from the beautiful landscape and tranquil beaches of Oahu, Kauai, Maui & Big Island.


Place your advert now