Isn't it a little discriminatory to call Pluto a "dwarf" planet?

Answer 1

In this day and age I expect it will sue. Jupiter takes legal action for emotional trauma because people keep staring at it's spot. Black holes complain that they are being racially discriminated against. The Moon litigates against Callisto and Ganymede for infringing it's trademark. Uranus sues the creators of South Park for all the a s s jokes, etc etc.

Answer 2

Discriminatory against whom? Pluto doesn't have any feelings to hurt. "Dwarf" is a legitimate term. Dictionary.com says dwarf is a verb which means 1. a person of abnormally small stature owing to a pathological condition, esp. one suffering from cretinism or some other disease that produces disproportion or deformation of features and limbs.
2. an animal or plant much smaller than the average of its kind or species.
3. (in folklore) a being in the form of a small, often misshapen and ugly, man, usually having magic powers.
4. Astronomy. dwarf star.

So Pluto fits into definition 4. Astronomy isn't about being ppolitically correct, it's about what is technically accurate.

Answer 3

Hey Meat Head before you start labeling things "discriminatory" why don't you look up the word "dwarf"

In case your too lazy, which I imagine you are, here is a definition for you

Dwarf: an animal or plant much smaller than the average of its kind or species"

There are even dwarf stars too, imagine that huh

Answer 4

Discriminatory against who? Dwarves? It would be discriminatory to call a person of reduced stature a "dwarf", so that shouldn't matter. And the dwarves from Lord of the Rings are too busy fighting balrogs in the depths of Moria to care.

Answer 5

According to mirriam webster.........

Main Entry: 1dwarf
Pronunciation: 'dworf
Function: noun

1 yada yada
2 : yada yada
3 : yada yada
4 : a star (as the sun) of ordinary or low luminosity and relatively small mass and size

Therefore, isnt it correct to call pluto a dwarf planet?

Answer 6

OK a little person planet.
But wait, isn't Pluto a dog?

Answer 7

Thank you, Shpicey, for raising this important point. As a Native American, I have always objected to calling Mars a "red" planet. This solar system discrimination has got to stop. And you are just the kind of guy who can do it! God, I admire you.

Answer 8

Everything single thing can be considered discriminatory because there's always going to be someone who will be offended, no matter how far out there it may seem.

Answer 9

oh no is the dwarf planet going to sue the astronomers oh and what about the dwarf star we must protect their rights they have feelings too :]

Answer 10

while i was at the planetarium with my son's 4th grade class we were told pluto is a moon and not a planet