State Department: 'Hold down the fort,' other common phrases could be offensive | Fox News

State Department: 'Hold down the fort,' other common phrases could be offensive | Fox News


Watch your mouth -- everyday phrases like "hold down the fort" and "rule of thumb" are potentially offensive bombshells. 
At least according to the State Department. 
Chief Diversity Officer John Robinson penned a column in the department's latest edition of "State Magazine" advising readers on some rather obscure Ps and Qs. 
Robinson ticked off several common phrases and went on to explain why their roots are racially or culturally insensitive. The result was a list of no-nos that could easily result in some tongue-tied U.S. diplomats, particularly in an administration that swaps "war on terror" for "overseas contingency operation" and once shied away from using the word "terrorism." 
For instance, Robinson warned, "hold down the fort" is a potentially insulting reference to American Indian stereotypes. 
"How many times have you or a colleague asked if someone could 'hold down the fort?'" he wrote. "You were likely asking someone to watch the office while you go and do something else, but the phrase's historical connotation to some is negative and racially offensive."

Such idiocy...So I am helping my son build a club house and while he was nailing the wood in place I was " Holding down the Fort " so it would not move while he was hammering. The " Rule of Thumb" is, when nailing  always make sure you hammer strait at the nail and watch yourself so you do not hammer  your finger.

Morons at the helm...To think no one  has anything better to do than to sit here and make this shit up...truly amazes me. Life is hard enough as it is living day by day, never mind having others telling us what their personal opinion is on what is offensive or not.

I find this entire charade offensive.