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'Good Morning Britain' Viewers Angry With Debate Over Banning The Word 'Gentleman'

'Good Morning Britain' Viewers Angry With Debate Over Banning The Word 'Gentleman'

The journalist said the word was outdated and separates men and women

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

So the saying goes 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me', well we all know that's not true, because actually words can and frequently do hurt people.

And there are some words that rightfully people don't use anymore for that very reason, they're outdated, offensive, and there's just no place for them.

Then there are words which people don't like but which perhaps don't need to be actively censored, because let's face it, surely it takes more effort to fight a word that no one cares about than to just not use it yourself.

It's safe to say that a lot of people believe journalist Rebecca Reid's disgust with the word 'gentleman' falls firmly within the second category, after she went on Good Morning Britain to argue the case for banning the word.

She joined former pin ups Melinda Messenger and Penny Lancaster on the show to debate whether the word should be ditched.

She said: "My problem with it, is it seems weird to slap a gender on a certain set of characteristics, because we should all be aiming to be decent, kind, supporting and loving.

"And I think it's really unfair that men are the ones that are expected to do all the caring and providing, when in reality in relationship particularly both genders should be doing that for each other."

However, her opposition to the word didn't go down too well with viewers who took to Twitter - obviously - to share their anger.

Rebecca Reid wants to ditch the word 'gentleman' because it discriminates against women.
ITV/Good Morning Britain

One person wrote: "What exactly is wrong with being old-fashioned? If that means being respectful, thoughtful and decent, I am proud to call myself a gentleman. In my opinion this lady is severely clutching at straws for any vaguely available argument."

While a second agreed: "Why does it matter. How people wish to define themselves. Isn't that the modern way? Then leave Ladies & Gentlemen to be the people they are."

And a third viewer added: "Honestly who thinks up these idiotic ideas, their is nothing nicer than when a gentleman opens the door for you, walks on the outside and steps back to give way, as a lady I think it's lovely."

And in true Piers Morgan - or lack of - he asked: "Has it crossed your mind that we would like to be the hunters and providers and gentleman of life and lots of women like their men to be like that?

Piers Morgan was less than impressed with the idea of removing the word.
ITV/Good Morning Britain

"And they don't actually buy into this radical feminist nonsense, and they'd like a man to stand up when a woman walks in a room, to open a door?"

The day Piers Morgan becomes the arbiter for taste and decency will be a very dark day indeed and if you needed any more proof of that, this is how the chivalrous presenter closed the 'debate'.

Met with an audible groan, he said: "There are many ways a woman can look after a man and thank god for that."

Featured Image Credit: ITV/Good Morning Britain

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, Celebrity, UK Entertainment