For those familiar with the series “Are You Being Served?” it contained scenes where for example Mrs. Slocome informed a younger Wendy Richards that she was staying in that evening “to shampoo and brush her pussy.” Now for the majority of the UK population this, at the time was borderline, but amusing dialogue. Likewise Kenneth Williams in “Around the Horn,” used to conjure up words like “nagers.” As a child I found nothing offensive in a small “golliwog” figure being inserted in every jar of Robertson’s jam. That did not make me racial I’m sure.

Now later in life I’m continually surrounded by phrases that are an insult to most people’s intelligence. For example:

1. I’m afraid we will have to let you go. / You’re fired.
2. You have been tasked. / I’m downloading this onto you.
3. There is an issue. / There is a f—k up.
4. He is not a team player. / He fights back and thinks for himself.
5. Let’s think outside the box / Every other sensible suggestion has failed so far.
6. We will raise the bar. / A new initiative meaning nothing in specific. Invariably confusing for those who are quite comfortable with the height of the bar at their local watering hole.

I think current politicians are the worst. When the British crossed the Rhine during the last war, Churchill had all his high ranking officials line up on the bridge and urinate into said river. At the time, Churchill upon readjusting his dress, turned to General Alexander at his side and said, “I’ve been meaning to do that for a long time.” One could relate to politicians like that. The attendant press, (unlike in the later case of Patton), turned away and no photos were taken. Murdoch was not in charge.

Oh, and for the benefit of cyber Hansuman, “The photographers of the American general were Jewish,” and for liebe Socal, “Square head, graffiti obsessed krauts.”