Home » Dictionary » sickler

sickler

sickler
 n.— «On a matter of semantics, the use of nomenclature derived from the names of diseases, such as “diabetics,” “epileptics” and, in this case, “sicklers,” may be viewed as pejorative and emphasise the disease rather than the humanity of the person. Therefore, the preferred usage is the “person with” or “living with a particular condition,” in this case, sickle cell disease.» —“Operations of the Sickle Cell Unit” by Susanna Bortolusso Ali, et al Jamaica Gleaner (Kingston) Oct. 24, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Further reading

Your Two Cents (episode #1558)

Astronauts returning from space say they experience what’s called the overview effect, a new understanding of the fragility of our planet and our need to reflect on what humans all share as a species. A book about the end of the universe...

Names for a Patch of Blue Sky

Lee in Charleston, South Carolina, remembers her dad used to refer to a blue patch of sky after a rain as kitten’s britches. Similar terms include Dutchman’s trousers, old woman’s apron, and cat’s vest, all suggesting that...

Recent posts