I found this in The Sexual Politcs of Meat and it brings up some good points...

Language is a powerful tool. The words we choose do more than name or describe things; they assign status and value. Be careful, then, how you choose words that refer to non-human animals, for you may be using expressions that maintain prejudices against them.

Referring to a non-human animal as "it" strips him or here of dignity and perpetuates the view that other animals are objects, inferior things or property.

Referring to people who share their homes and lives with non-human animals as "owners" or "masters" connotes slavery, and we should be uncomfortable with that connotation. Friends, companions or protectors is preferable.

Avoid calling other animals "living things." They are living beings.

Refer to non-domestic animals as free or free-roaming, not "wild" or "wildlife."

When referring to animal suffering and death caused by human action, use painfully explicit words that reveal the true facts. "Euthanize," "put to sleep," "sacrifice" and "destroy" are favorites of animal researchers (and some animal control people) while "cull," "harvest," "manage" and "thin the herd" are favorites of hunters, trappers, and their ilk. These words mean kill, so say kill.

Guilty people try to cover up their horrifying cruelties against, and backward exploitation of, non-human animals with deceptive euphemisms like the ones above. Say it like it is, and correct others when they don't, so that people will realize the true nature and full extent of the suffering we inflict on other living beings.

Watch out, too, for expressions that convey contempt for animals. "Son-of-a-bitch," "bird-brain," and "hare-brain" are insults at the expense of animals. Think of alternatives to calling a person a "snake," "turkey," "ass," "weasel," "chicken," "dog" or the like.

Liberate your language, for it's an important step to liberating animals!

- By Noreen Mola and The Blacker Family
Animal's Agenda 6, no. 8, October 1986, p. 18

Well, son-of-a-bitch! I'll be an monkey's uncle. I had no idea I was making an ass out of myself by calling someone a bird brain.
Why just the other day, I told some little weasel in my office I oughta euthanize it to thin the herd. :tame:

I like that! I try my best not to refer to animals as its, although I slip up every now and then. I mean that's what I was taught in grade school grammer, so it's pretty deeply engrained.

I hate the term pet owner. I know a lot of people don't see a difference, but I really do think that it affect the way people view animals.

My uncle in law knows I am really big into animal rights, and he is an avid hunter. He always makes sure to say "harvesting" in front of me, like that is supposed to make me feel better about it.

I'm not too sure what they mean about euthanizing and putting to sleep. Are they referring just to animal researchers using these terms, or everyone in general? I say euthanizing or putting to sleep, but I use this when refering to suffering animals. I also use it when refering to human euthanasia. I don't think it is that bad when talking about putting a sick animal or person out of their misery.

Language is a powerful tool. The words we choose do more than name or describe things; they assign status and value

oh **** I am so non pc :D

"Refer to non-domestic animals as free or free-roaming, not "wild" or "wildlife."

no way.

But I do refer to meat dishes as corpse and milk as boob juice [sometimes]

Interesting!!

I did actually refer to milk as udder mucus just the other day (seriously)! :D

Since becoming vegetarian, the word meat has been grating me the wrong way. I think of meat as like the meat of an apple, mango, orange, etc. I call 'meat' of animals 'flesh' because that's what it is. Why make it pretty. It really bugged my b/f at first..but oh well, if he doesn't like to realise what he's eating it's not my problem.

I used to call it 'corpse' now I use the term 'flesh foods' because it's a little less confrontational.

'flesh foods' ... I like that....I think I'll be weaving that one into my vocabulary :)

I like that term too. It's hard to break old habits. And you kind of have to work to find something makes people think but doesn't just totally turn them off - flesh foods vs. corpse is a good example.

well I say cow and pig when I'm in polite company, I wouldn't want to put anyone off their meal. Eg "Pete's cremating a cow, would you like a portion?"

Living in the city with road rage, I was called a bitch so much (for not driving perfectly I guess) I actually forgot it was a word for an animal.

That's an excellent article and we can examine all of what we say for all kinds of degrading sayings. Getting off topic, think of all the ways many speak of the elderly, etc. Animals really need to become one of our nation's priorities. The discriminatory practices have to be brought out in the open so it can be changed.

This is a great topic. I was even thinking of starting a thread on it myself.

Why not "take the gloves off" when talking with people about animal rights? What do we have to lose?

I admit it's easier said than done since most vegans are peaceful to begin with and takes practice.

Last night at dinner my family had venison burgers. I was eating my own food at the table with them since when we can we eat together. I had no intentions of reminding them of gruesome nature of their food, but one of my sisters told me she didn't want me to tell the 6 year olds that it was deer meat, not cow meat. I wasn't planning to tell them, but I just asked her, "Why don't you want them to know?" My mom said something about if they thought about what they were eating, then they probably wouldn't be eating it. I knew better than to push the issue far, so I just asked "So you can only eat what you intentionally don't think about?" Hopefully this'll help them to start thinking.

There are so many words for meat that cover up what it really is. Euphemisms, I guess. Like a steak is cow's butt, flesh, arteries, etc. Hamburger is cow's guts, intestines, grizzle and more. Hotdogs are various animals intestines, ground up fat and other parts. The fancy names keep people uncounscious. Sometimes the actual parts, though, don't even matter to some who eat them. I've known people who openly admit to eating hog testes (in different words), etc. I think I'm going to be sick now...

Originally posted by MsRuthieB
'flesh foods' ... I like that....I think I'll be weaving that one into my vocabulary :)

I live in Flanders and although I can't speak very much Dutch, I know the word for veal which is "kalfvlees," very similar to the English "calf flesh" which is of course exactly what it is. (Vlees is the word for meat.)

It's more to the point to start using words like that. Another animal rights advocate introduced me to the phrase "body parts," which can be used referring to what some people pick up at the supermarket. "Cadavers or cadaver parts" are other possibilities.

I read a post somewhere that a man actually turned veg*n when a veg*n he was having dinner with pointed out that he was eating a cadaver.

I always hated the argument that people had that it's "my" aminal and o can do what I want with it. Including mistreate it. There is a certian someone I got in an argument about over this who still demands an apology from me because I wasn't sorry the SPCA took his dog away because he was abusing it. The hell he's ever getting one

Skylark,Mine think about it just by the fact that I am there at the table ith them and not eating the foods trhat have animal products in them.

They certianly eat less meat when I am around though i don't try and make them or even mention what they are eating most of the time.

RSJ,
They have tended to eat less meat since I've been a vegetarian, but it still comes up sometimes. My six year old sisters sometimes still think I am incapable of eating meat, not realizing that it's a choice I made.

Originally posted by skylark
RSJ,
They have tended to eat less meat since I've been a vegetarian, but it still comes up sometimes. My six year old sisters sometimes still think I am incapable of eating meat, not realizing that it's a choice I made.

I hadn't thought about it too much, but you raise an interesting point. People eating meat at a table with a known vegan will automatically get pangs of conscience without the vegan even saying a word.

Would that explain why the six year olds sometimes make a point not to sit beside me? I emanate vibes that make them feel guilty?

Hey guys...interesting discussion. Yeah, I usually think of my cats/dogs as Owning me! I mean, we are kinda at their beck n call. Not the other way around as much. If ya see what I mean.
Last week, my mom was making something with chicken and I had the strongest innate urge to say" What is this dead bird doing in the microwave?!" If ya like making these kinda references, check this out (pangea my new best friend T Shirts http://www.pangeaveg.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Pangea&Product_Code=280-FFF&Category_Code=blunt ) They have other that are not so hard core.

Yeah, that does happen. When my friends started "knowing" I was vegan, one was going "We dont eat much meat. Just chicken. Other then that...not much really...etc etc". Sometimes I feel a bit "prissy" cuz I have taken this upon myself. They probably feel if she can do it, why should not we? And thus get guilty. SOmething like that. ~Tori

Someday I hope there's a word that everyone knows and cannot deny that refers to the flesh of all animals including poultry and sea animals PLUS the cow flesh, pig flesh, etc. Seems like "meat" is misunderstood by so many people.

That post sounded disjointed. I should just go to bed now.