Are we REALLY not meant to say Blackboard any more?

Question

I always thought it was soem PC joke, but then I was told it wasn't!! Is that right?
Because, if it is, who came up with that?
And also, if it is, i'm offended by the term Whiteboard.
But only if that's true.

Answer 1

A blackboard is a board that's black, what are we going to do change the name of the 'colour' (it's not really a colour)? I'm English and I REFUSE to let anyone dictate to me that accepted words are wrong just because it's the latest fashion.

Our handyman told me off when he heard me ask the cook for a black bag. He told me I had to ask for a refuse sack and I told him where to go. I have always said black bag and I always will .. it's a bag and it's black .... black bag.

People are going to be banned from calling their cats 'Blackie' are they? This is still a free country, we are supposed to have freedom of speech - I did say 'supposed to have' and I will stand up for my - and everyone else's - right to say pretty much what they like as long as it isn't inciting hatred.

I would have a problem with shouting Black Bag at a lady with a darker complexion and I would defend any such lady.

I am offended when I'm called white because no-one is, we're all some shade of brown because of the melanin in our skins. I, personally, am beige, which is what I put on forms - including census forms.

The sooner we get out of this black/white thing, the sooner we can put racism behind us.

Rant over.

Answer 2

You can buy " Blackboard paint" ( for re-painting blackboards), and watch the film Blackboard Jungle. These activities are now the domain of the rascist bigot, who typically enjoys Apple and Blackberry tart, and King Prawns in Blackbean sauce, in a blacked out room, whilst hiding from the thought police!

Answer 3

After a quick bit of research (see below) it seems that it's largely a myth. However I'd imagine there's a few out there who'd call it a chalkboard, I'd imagine it'd be because:

80% are afraid of getting sued.
10% are from dialects of English that do not have this idiom
10% are The Modern Parents from Viz and genuinely feel that this will cure racism at a stroke.

Answer 4

Sorry to disappoint, but this has nothing to do with race or PCism. It is because that the boards that used to be used for chalk are no longer uniformly black in color, in fact I think many are green if they are used at all. Chalkboard is more appropriate because it is more accurate. A whiteboard is not really offensive because it refers to the white surface, but I more often hear them referred to as "dry erase boards" referring to the dry erase markers. This would be consistent with the chalkboard reference as both refer to the writing implement usually used on the boards.

Answer 5

This, for once, is not some PC lunacy that seized a particularly vocal and influential basket case. In schools now they do use whiteboards and markers instead of blackboards and chalk.

Answer 6

The PC idiots changed the name to chalk board. A white board is now a wipe board. Sigh.

Answer 7

I will always say blackboard and any other politically incorrect word out there!@

Answer 8

Black is a colour not a race,
If they paint the board red, yellow, pink or white then who will we be offending?
We will not be allowed to say coffee and olives soon.

Answer 9

That's madness... a blackboard is blackboard.. what are they going to do next? say the name the all blacks rugby team is offensive?

Answer 10

No your not allowed to say it, it is referred to as a chalkboard. Even Ba Ba Black sheep is no longer known as a black sheep. They have all gone crazy. What is wrong with our old tradition? Do other people from other countries have to change the way their things are said?