Oh man!
Oops! Can't say that!
At least at Princeton, where the word "man" has been formally banned, at least if you work for Princeton.
The man-ban has actually been in effect for more than a year, according to The College Fix, which reported the story:
Instead of using “man,” employees are told to use words such as human beings, individuals or people.
Other guidelines? Instead of “man and wife” use spouses or partners. Switch out “man made” with artificial, handmade or manufactured. Don’t use the verb “to man,” as in to work something, instead use to operate or to staff. Throw out workmanlike and replace it with skillful.
The memo goes on to list a variety of occupations that typically include the word “man” in them and offers replacements: business person instead of businessman, firefighter instead of fireman, ancestors instead of forefathers, and so on.
Fortunately, according to Princeton spokesman John Cramer, the rules apply only to those unfortunate enough to be on the Princeton payroll:
Cramer clarified Princeton’s policy in a similar way, saying “these are guidelines issued by HR, developed in cooperation with Institutional Equity Planning Group for communication and job postings. Students are not mandated to follow this policy.”
So if you're a Princeton freshman whose parents have shelled out $61,850 for you to attend, you don't actually have to call yourself a "freshperson."