Popeye Condemns Plan To Replace ‘Insensitive’ Man-Overboard Term – Loose Cannon
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When all else fails, try journalism. Popeye Condemns Plan To Replace ‘Insensitive’ Man-Overboard TermRYA Says MOB Is Unwelcoming to Women and the Non-Binary
Britain’s standards-setting organization for recreational boating, the Royal Yachting Association, believes the phrase “man overboard!” is unwelcoming to folks who identify as women or non-binary. When a London newspaper reported this, it caused a ruckus in the maritime community, which ridiculed this notion as over-the-top woke. RYA then trotted out poor Richard Falk on a backpedaling mission (despite possibility that the a concept might trigger disabled people who cannot ride a bike). Falk, who is director of Training and Qualifications, said the RYA encourages the continued use of “man overboard” in actual MOB situations. But when you are discussing the rescue later in the clubhouse, say, you should consider “person in water” as a more inclusive substitute. No need to mention seaMANship either. So, not trying to replace MOB with PIW. Not yet. That’s Falk’s story, and he’s sticking to it.
Loose Cannon sought comment from an expert on nautical speak, Popeye the Sailorman. He was fresh from rescuing someone who had fallen overboard, a jamoke going by the pronoun “Wimpy.” The news from RYA caught Popeye by surprise. “Oh my gorshk! I yam disgupitated,” Popeye said, unsure why the YMCA was “sticking their big nose” into sailboat business. No, not YMCA, it’s the RYA…in England, he was told. Seeing as this is the direction we’re going, shouldn’t you shorten your last name to just “Sailor” in the interest of gender sensitivity, Popeye was asked? “I yam what I yam, an’ that’s all I yam. I yam Popeye the Sailorman,” he insisted. “I canst stands dems limey bucrappery. Sees me why Brutannia rulers no waves no more no how.” Then, he mumbled something about “spinich” and hung up the phone. LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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