Readers' Blog: Inappropriate language for disgraceful behaviour

In the context of the current protest by Emma Thomson (“Emma Thompson quit film in stand against ‘second chance’ for John Lasseter”) may I again question the docility with which the media have accepted the deliberate misuse of the word inappropriate. The story usually unfolds like this.

In the context of the current protest by Emma Thompson (“Emma Thompson quit film in stand against ‘second chance’ for John Lasseter”) may I again question the docility with which the media have accepted the deliberate misuse of the word inappropriate. The story usually unfolds like this.

Someone who is in the public eye behaves in a way that is absolutely offensive if not downright obnoxious. Given that it was done publicly he cannot deny it. Enter his PR spokespersons. How to downplay his actions? Simple, label them “inappropriate”.