Descriptionary

quota system a program that requires a minimum number of minorities or women to be hired for spe­cific positions in an institution, company, etc., to guarantee equal opportunities for all and to counter any form of discrimination.

racism prejudice and discrimination toward another race; stereotyping those of another race. Also, the belief that one's own race is superior to others.

rally a public gathering to raise support for a com­mon cause.

religious right a broad group of religiously oriented people with conservative or Christian values and their own political agenda.

riot a turbulent or violent group demonstration or protest.

reverse discrimination discrimination against one who has long been part of a majority and thus who has never or rarely experienced such an indignity, as a white male being turned down for a job taken by a minority member to meet a quota system.

sacred cow a person, thing, institution, or belief that is considered taboo to question or criticize in any way.

scapegoating accusing a minority for a society's problems, economic or otherwise.

segregation separation of races, at schools or other institutions.

separatism the advocacy of segregation of the races.

sexism prejudice and discrimination against mem­bers of the opposite sex; gender stereotyping.

sexual harassment inappropriate and unwanted sexual advances, flirtation, humor, remarks, etc., in a school, place of employment, or other social setting.

sit-in a peaceful protest against some social wrong, characterized by the demonstrators sitting down in a group and blocking pathways, doors, etc., and refus­ing to move for an extended period.

social Darwinism the belief or observation that genetically and biologically superior people rise to the top of a social group and the inferior ones become relegated to the bottom.

social engineering the application of the findings of sociology studies to improve social conditions.

socialization the learning by experience of the ways of social groups and society.

stereotype a faulty characterization in which one believes what is true of one member of a group must be true of all members; an inaccurate perception based on limited experience.

taboo that which is strictly forbidden by a society. That which must not even be spoken about or men­tioned.

third world of a nation, poor, developing.

tokenism the hiring of a single minority member or a small number them, largely for appearances.

tolerance acceptance of people and social groups who are different.

upper class a group of people in society who are wealthy and often highly educated.

upwardly mobile moving up in social class, due to economic or educational gains.

values the morals, ethics, and guiding principles of a society.

WASP white Anglo-Saxon Protestant.

white supremacy the prejudiced philosophy that whites are superior to other races.

women's liberation the granting of women the same rights and privileges men enjoy; the cultural freedom to choose how one will live.

yuppie young urban professional. A young person with a high-paying job and a penchant for buying all the nicer things of life.

ANGUAGE

British words and slang

ankle biter rug rat; toddler or baby. anorak parka. arctic refrigerated truck. arse ass.

arse-load shit-load.

articulated lorry a trailer truck.

aubergine eggplant.

back garden backyard.

badger to bug; to pester.

ballocks see bollocks.

banger sausage.

barmy foolish; crazy.

barrister a lawyer of the high court.

beefburger hamburger.

berk idiot.

bird female; girlfriend.

biscuit cracker; cookie.

bit of fluff sexual partner.

bit of a knob creep; jerk.

bit of skirt babe.

black treacle molasses.

blast! damn!

bleeding idiot frigging idiot. bloke guy; man.

bloody frigging; damned.

bloody hell! frigging hell!

blooming euphemism for bloody; frigging.

bobby slang, for a policeman.

bollocks nonsense; crap. Also spelled ballocks.

bonnet hood (of a car).

boot trunk (of a car).

braces suspenders.

bridge roll hot dog bun.

bugger-all nothing; zip.

bugger off! screw off! go away!

bum butt.

caravan camper; trailer; mobile home.

car park parking lot.

chemist pharmacist; druggist; drugstore.

chips french fries.

cinema movie theater.

collywobbles butterflies in the stomach.

cookery book cookbook.

cotton thread.

courgettes zucchini.

cow an overweight or stupid woman.

crikey! holy mackeral! holy crap!

crisps potato chips.

crossroads intersection.