An invasive species now has a new name to replace ethnic slur

CNN ^ | 3/4/22 | Kristen Rogers

[DallasBiff]

The scientists who have been working on changing an invasive moth’s common name, which included an ethnic slur, have made their decision.

Previously known as “gypsy moth,” the species Lymantria dispar is now “spongy moth,” according to the Entomological Society of America, which makes the Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List, an essential database for anyone working with insects.

For the Romani people – an ethnic group originating in northern India that was at one time misidentified as Egyptian – the word “gypsy” has been offensive, dangerous and dehumanizing since it first appeared in the 1500s, Margareta Matache, director of the Roma Program at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, told CNN in July 2021.

[DallasBiff]

So gypsy moth, is now the spongy moth. Isn't that a slur against sponges?

Any way don't gypsy moths start out as tent worms?

[moovova]

Spongy Newcomers.

[freesia2]

LOL re. slur against sponges. Spongy moth is a stupid sounding name, IMO. Besides, I rather doubt gypsy moths mind being called gypsies.

[sasquatch]

I am like so relieved.

[kearnyirish2]

Spongy pickpockets

[Leaning Right]

> Previously known as “gypsy moth,” the species Lymantria dispar is now “spongy moth,” … <

I demand that the name be changed again. Because this new name is certain to offend this guy.

[Dr. Sivana]

Gypsy Moths attacked our Indian Corn that was growing by our Siamese Connection. I watched them while playing the Jew’s Harp, protecting the nearby trees with lots of Scotch tape.

[Dr. Sivana]

How about Romani Moths, or Traveler Moths?

[mewzilla]

This new one is a slur against welfare recipients.

[Bonemaker]

Uh uh...will always be gypsy moth,just like Fort Bragg, Sears Tower etc will always remain.

[Manic_Episode]

So a sponge is better than a gypsy. Got it.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

“King of The Gypsies” was a good book. Will they change that title as well?

[Sacajaweau]

A nation of a****....

[Leep]

I guess sponges like the biden family don’t object?

[Migraine]

The moment when entomology and etymology collide head-on.

[Bob434]

at this point the left are just throwing the most asinine crap at us and expecting us to accept it and laughing all the way to the bank when they win

-——Theodore Dalrymple———

“In my study of communist societies, I came to the conclusion that
the purpose of communist propaganda was not to persuade or convince, not
to inform, but to humiliate; and therefore, the less it corresponded to
reality the better.

When people are forced to remain silent when they
are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced
to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense
of probity. To assent to obvious lies is...in some small way to become
evil oneself.

One’s standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even
destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control. I think
if you examine political correctness, it has the same effect and is
intended to.”

Written by Theodore Dalrymple

[Bob434]

oh swell, now millions of sponge divers are going to be in peril!

[bigbob]

Cher will be reissuing her record as “Spongies Tramps and Thieves”

[BipolarBob]

My first thought as well. GMTA

[stylin19a]

now we have to change the name of this song:
Gypsy Woman"