Watch Your Language

For almost 60 years my attitude has been “my University, right or wrong,” but this silliness about political correctness (“What’s in a Word? Plenty, HR Says,” On the Campus, Sept. 14) is really making me wonder. Nonetheless, in the spirit of things, I offer one suggestion. Since “prince” is a decidedly masculine word, it is clear we will have to rename the University. I suggest “Royalpersonton University.”

Editor’s note: The “gender-inclusive language” guidelines developed by Princeton’s HR department were “clarified and streamlined” in September “to eliminate any misunderstanding of their purpose and scope,” a University spokesman said. Freshmen and alumni/alumnae are no longer on the list of words to be avoided.