'The thug in police uniform'. (Daily Mail today)

Well I don't think personal attacks are funny. Clearly I have a very different sense of humour.

I am not saying or even thinking that Pammygran deliberately sowed discontent - to imply that would add yet another layer of reasons for people to shout at one another! - but we have had agents provocateurs in the past who threw provocative remarks gratuitously into discussions to cause posters to fall out with one another instead of discussing the subject sensibly. They did it because they enjoyed putting the cat among the pigeons and seeing the feathers fly. The only people who came out of these occasions with dignity were those who kept their cool and were not riled, and those who resisted the temptation to answer back.

Time to return to the discussion or change the subject?

Getting back to topic - is it not a strange thing that teachers cannot be sacked except by governors. Heads do the early stages of the disciplinary process but if it is a hearing that might result in dismissal they present their management case to 3 governors.
But police and other professions do their own disciplinaries.
I think education has it right. But Gove is busily undermining the role of governors.

Aha, jess, governors.
Knew a lovely lady , since departed, who was a governor of an important local C.of E school.
She used to sit in on interviews when teachers were applying for a post.
As soon as any of them referred to children as KIDS. That would be IT!!
No matter their qualifications etc. etc.
She maintained that KIDS are GOATS.
And those people would not be hired.
Maybe she had a point with her "vetting"?

Crikey! I've been away from my PC a couple of days and have come back to this diatribe. I'm hopping straight out again and will head for calmer climes. It's more than my brain and body can stand at present

johnna what a long time since I heard anyone complain about calling children Kids. I suspect she would have to rule them all out these days!

I neither like nor use the term 'kids'...except when referring to young goats.

I hate the word too when used as a word for a child - my mother couldn't abide it either.

Bez My mother loathed the term...as did her mother.

Must be in the genes then!!!!!

Ah well johanna those were not the days.

My DD has noted that I cannot abide the term "kids" and, I am delighted to report, always refers to the grandchildren as "children". Such a relief.

Well I use the word kid because I think it's a friendly word. It's from the Old Norse word for kith (as in "and kin"). So you can all disapprove heartily of me and I won't care [nyah boo emoticon]. For goodness's sake! there's nothing offensive about it . Sometimes I think people look for things to 'mind' about, as if there weren't enough things already that actually matter.

Yeesh! Chill, grans, chill!

(stomps off to make soothing hot in order to.... um... chill )

I'm sure children don't mind being called 'kids'!

I usually say 'Hello, kids' and my grandchildren seem to like it.

Bags Either one does like something, or not. Simples! I didn't say that the word was offensive. I really don't mind what other people think. I was just saying... I'm surprised that you [my pal] sound so huffy!

'Kids' isn't an insulting term for children. I use it in an affectionate way. After a career spent trying to keep up to date with PC references, i am glad to be able to relax and use such words without expecting a lecture from the PC fascists. Let's keep our indignation for the truly offensive words.

I suppose I don't understand what there is to dislike. It's just an alternative, inoffensive word, for child. If it was somehow derogatory or negative, I'd understand, but it isn't. [puzzled]

If I seem huffy it's because people who mind the word kid seem disapproving about perfectly respectable diction.

Er... 'Lecture from PC fascists!' Excoose me! I'm out of here pretty damn quick. Must be something in the water. Lord help us all if a perfectly reasonable thread goes down the pan cos someone has an alternative point of view. Cheers! Enjoy your petty wotsits...

Thanks, when. Indignation, that's it. That's what I'm huffy about – people's apparent indignatiion at something so innocent.

Bloody hell, bells and spit-fire. This thread has made me feel decidedly queasy.

soop

It's nothing personal. It's the indignation against the word that's the problem.

I thought I detected a subtle air of superiority from those saying they would never use the word 'kids'.

I've never minded anyone calling my children kids but for some reason I really hate the term, grandkids. Don't ask me why but I think grandchildren is so much more respectful.

I'm with soop. Have read all the posts and am leaving it now.