Kung Fu Flu, Flu Manchu, Hunan Flu & Chinese Flu

Go ahead, call me xenophobic. I’m fine with that.  I understand it is easier to call names than to think.    

First of all, I am not afraid of Xena, or the Chinese Flu. I would prefer that you call me names that are accurate which is what this is all about. 

In the last few months, I have eaten Belgium chocolate, Brussels sprouts, Angus Beef, Kansas beef, Grass-fed Beef, Vidalia Onions, Turbeville cantaloupes and Pond-raised fish and shrimp.  I have not eaten Russian caviar, Beluga caviar, French Cheese or wine or Italian sausage. 

I have eaten organic foods; I have not worn Chinese silks although my bride has. Yesterday I ate at a Chinese restaurant.  I would think a xenophobe like me would avoid Chinese food. 

I could fill this page with items identified by their place of origin. Others are identified by the manufacturing process, such as steel cut oats and stone ground cornmeal. That is the way it is. 

It is also reasonable and necessary for scientists and medical personnel to refer to Chinese Flu as Covid-19 (now that it has been identified) in the interest of accuracy. 

That does not apply to me. 

Within every organization there are professional and preferred terms that are more accurate than those used by the general public. This is as it should be. However those groups have no more right to force the public to use those terms than you have to call me names. 

If you don’t want to offend a fox hunter do not refer to his “couple of hounds” as a pair of dogs. If you don’t want to offend a dairy goat breeder do not refer to his “bucks and does” as nannies and billies.  There are thousands of examples (especially in sports) of industry specific terms. 

In spite of the fact you may offend them by using the “wrong” terms they are being unreasonable.  However, if you want to appear to be informed and involved you should use their terms or they will correctly conclude that you are ignorant of their industry. 

By the way, just in case you don’t understand, two of the title terms refer to the country of origin of Covid-19, the other two are jokes. 

And until this “ear-worm” gets out of my head I will continue singing “I’ve got the rockin’ pneumonia and the Kung Fu Flu.”