Newcastle University urges workers to drop ‘pet’ as a result of it is ‘sexist’

Geordies have slammed Newcastle University for urging researchers to bid ‘Auf Wiedersehen, Pet’ after bosses deemed the slang term sexist.

Diversity chiefs labelled the Tyneside lingo ‘patronising’ in an equality and inclusion toolkit issued to researchers.

Their seven-page guide instructs readers to ‘avoid… terms, such as girls, pet, or ladies’ and asks that groups are referred to as ‘friends or colleagues’ instead.

The advice appears in a section named ‘Talking about Gender‘ which says: ‘Sexism can often be subtle in conversations, and we can all be guilty of it without realising.’

Paul Thorne, 52, a hospital worker in the city said the move was ‘totally stupid’.

‘It’s a local word,’ he continued, ‘what do you expect them to say at Newcastle University? They are going to use Newcastle words.

‘I have never thought of the word as sexist. It’s a local slang word, we use it all the time.

‘Most of the lecturers are probably from Newcastle so you would think they would understand it. It’s a friendly word.’

The seven-page guide was produced by 13 members of an inclusion team and was accompanied by a 44-term glossary gender-related terms researchers might come across.  

Catherine Harris, 73, a retired teacher, said: ‘I would say tell universities to stick to your studies.

‘I’m not sure that it’s a very progressive step, the word pet belongs to North Eastern dialect and it would be unfortunate to label it derogatory.

‘Like many things it depends on the tone and the context of the words.’

Amy Siddall, 21, a law student at nearby Northumbria University who lives in Newcastle, said: ‘I don’t think the word is offensive. If someone called me pet I wouldn’t think “how dare they, they shouldn’t do that to anyone”. It’s fine.

‘Universities want to push boundaries and make sure everyone is equal, I understand that, but local language in areas like Newcastle defines them.

‘There aren’t many locals at Newcastle University in comparison to the University of Northumbria.

‘If I was at that uni being told I couldn’t use terms mainly used by Geordies I wouldn’t want to go there.’

The university released the guidance after leaders in research reported their concerns about using the ‘wrong’ language when discussing equality, diversity and inclusion topics.

The toolkit also discusses gender, sexual orientation and race.

Pat, 78, a retired priest from Morpeth said: ‘I wouldn’t be offended by the word but I’m of a certain generation.

‘I would say it’s endearing. Words like love, duck or pet is an add on to acknowledging that you are an individual.

‘The university should just be accepting of the local dialect just as when you go somewhere else you accept that someone will talk to you in their dialect or colloquialism.

‘It’s a word of place, place is important to people who are of that place.’

Peter, 74, a retired transport planner, also from Morpeth, said: ‘It’s similar to the word duck, which is what I would use when I was younger which applied to men and women equally.

‘It meant a mate or friend. It’s friendly. There are ways of being which is antagonistic but that isn’t, it says “you’re one of us”.’

However, 79-year-old retiree Alan White says he does not use the word and claims the guide can help students navigate new terms.

The Newcastle native said: ‘I find it patronising, I’m not keen on it being used at shop tills.

‘It’s a word that has no meaning to me – I don’t like the word being used.

‘People in the market who serve me always say it.

‘Language is so complicated now that you have to be careful what words you use.’

A Newcastle University spokesperson said: ‘We have not banned these terms. Our researchers asked for advice on using inclusive language in a professional capacity and the guide was created to help them do that.’