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In The Times newspaper today.

A minor crossword clues LEPER as "Outcast (5)"... leading to Linda Todd, chief executive of the Leprosy Mission Scotland opining that she was dismayed by the clue and that "use of the 'L' word should be banned".

It may be a valid criticism of the clue: Chambers gives 'outcast' as an obsolete meaning of 'leper', so it may be fair to say that the clue was lacking in nuance by omitting to refer to the archaic nature of the idiom.

But it grinds my gears when people of a particular persuasion assume the right to call to alter the canon of the English language to comply with their sensibilities or views - however earnest or well-meaning they may be.

This forum seems a valid place to air my rant as crosswords attract this kind of nineteen-eighty-fourism. I wonder if fellow readers here have views on the subject?

I choked on my cornflakes.

M

I agree with you. There are certain words which have no place in crosswords because they are obscene or offensive to minorities, but this isn't one of them. Quite absurd.

Agrred. Far too many people wanting to change our language, throw out historic documents etc. I don't even see why that word is offensive, (am ducking). Means someone with leprosy, right? Consumptive means someone with TB.....

My 2008 edition of Chambers and my electronic version do not say that outcast can mean a leper. However, they both say that leper can mean an outcast, and it is not obsolete.

I'm of the opinion, if it appears in Chambers (or the appropriate reference dictionary for the puzzle in question) it's perfectly acceptable as an answer/entry or as part of wordplay.
The "trouble" with designating some words offensive or tabu is selective to each individual and therefore "you can't please all the people all the time ..."

I recently saw someone call the superb Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago racist because of its name. It’s devoted to the study of the ancient Middle East. Shall we ban “occidental” too? Utter lunacy, and mean-spirited ignorance, and it’s rampant.

There was a similar row recently when the Guardian crossword used "welcher". Maybe that outrage was more justifiable. The etymology may not be clearcut, but it's unlikely to be complimentary.

Quisling - I noticed that, and pick up similar comments on Guardian crossword threads.

While I absolutely defend the right of people to make such complaints, it is another thing when people or groups use their social media power to campaign against dictionary publishers, and few companies have the intestinal fortitude to resist such mobbing...

It's happening already and will only get worse I fear.

I must say that when I saw the title of this post, I tried to think of as many offensive words beginning with L as I could, and 'leper' did not make the top 10.

Interesting. Thinking about those who fail to pay, specifically gambling debts, is there a word which is not pejorative or "racist". I an only think of "welcher" and "levanter", and both of those are. Are we left only with the slang "knocker" or the prosaic "defaulter"?