Honest discussions of money and social standing and the myriad factors that determine them are often complicated, and the language of US news coverage tends to reflect that. People may rely on established euphemisms or coded terms when more specific language would be more illuminating.
This section of the Language, Please style guidance aims to help journalists recognize language that’s weighed down in subtext and navigate subjects of socioeconomic status and social standing in a nuanced way.
This resource was informed by questions and discussions from our own newsrooms. It is a living document that will update and expand over time. It is not meant to be comprehensive or the definitive arbiter of language “rules” but instead aims to give context and inform thoughtful decision-making. Have a suggestion for an update, change, or addition? Please get in touch.
How to use: Browse the whole section or search for the term you need guidance on; click into any term for in-depth context, additional resources, and related terms.
Additional resources:
deaths of despair
A term coined by economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton to refer to deaths of working-age, non-college-educated, generally non-Hispanic white Americans related to suicide, drug and alcohol poisoning, or alcoholic liver disease. The concept has garnered criticism for, some say, overemphasizing the phenomenon among white Americans while ignoring that historically underserved populations also face economic barriers and lower health outcomes. Giving a brief definition when using the term can be helpful if using, as is avoid stereotyping or focusing solely on one age range and racial group.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) refers to a framework of organizational values and practices developed to counteract discrimination and bias, broaden participation, and promote equitable treatment and opportunities across professional, institutional, and social contexts. Rooted in the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, DEI became formalized in the 1980s and 1990s through the work of human resources professionals, management consultants, and educators. Over time, the scope of DEI came to include a broad range of communities and values. While skepticism toward DEI has existed for decades across a broad ideological spectrum, the 2020s witnessed the emergence of a concentrated political movement to restrict or dismantle DEI programs, primarily led by conservative policymakers and activists. When reporting on DEI, specific language that reflects the precise goals or values in question can provide necessary clarity, and it is often wise to confirm whether a source or organization actually identifies its work as DEI before applying the term.
dropout
Dropout refers to an individual who leaves school without having completed their course of study. The term “dropout” may stigmatize the individual and ignore systemic factors that contribute to someone not completing their education; less individual-blaming language would be phrasing like “X individual did not finish school.”
epidemic
An epidemic is characterized by the spread of an infectious disease within a distinct geographic area at a frequency far above normal. The term has also long been used metaphorically to describe social phenomena (e.g., epidemics of loneliness or gun violence). Reporting with care, restraint, and reliable data sources, including experts with relevant credentials, is necessary to provide crucial information and avoid stoking public panic.
fat / plus-size
“Fat” and “plus-size” are terms often used to refer to people who live and occupy space in a larger body. “Plus size” is a term often used in the fashion industry, typically to refer to non-masculine-presenting people. In general, body descriptors should only be included when necessary and relevant. Even in these cases, such descriptors are subjective and generally emotionally fraught terms, and following the person’s self-identifying term can simplify the decision whether to use them.
fatphobia
The term “fatphobia” in practice means entrenched cultural prejudices and stigma directed at those who are considered overweight or obese according to a white American aesthetic that some cultural historians describe as originating in reaction to the enslaved female African body. Some fat acceptance activists dislike the veneer of mental health terminology involved in using the “phobia” suffix, arguing that terms like sizeism, anti-fat bias, or anti-fatness are more accurate. If necessary and relevant to coverage to use “fatphobia” or a related term, some explanation of the chosen term can be helpful for clarity. Careful coverage will also consider systemic factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status that can affect both someone’s weight and the degree of stigma they may face for their weight. It’s also important to understand and acknowledge that anti-fat bias, and coverage that furthers those attitudes, can have negative health consequences.
financial abuse
A form of domestic abuse focused on withholding money or otherwise restricting finances. As a subsection of domestic abuse, financial abuse should be noted when applicable.
food desert / food oasis
A food desert is an area with limited access to fresh food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables. Food deserts are commonly found in and associated with lower-income, often predominantly Black and brown communities, particularly in areas where transportation options and car ownership are limited. It contrasts with the term “food oasis,” which refers to an abundance of supermarkets and a variety of types of grocery stores. It’s important context to mention systemic factors that contribute to the existence of food deserts and food oases, and how lack of access to affordable, healthy food is related to health issues such as increased instances of obesity and heart disease.
generations
“Generation” describes a cohort of people born within a specific time range. Birth year is not the only determining factor for generations; in familial contexts these titles usually play no role. Sometimes overgeneralizing about a generation can result in ageist stereotypes — for instance, portraying baby boomers as less tech-savvy than younger people.
ghetto
Historically, ghetto referred to a section of a city entirely or nearly entirely occupied by a racial or ethnic minority. In contemporary use, it often has negative connotations and associations with high rates of poverty and crime. While the term could be used with historical resonance or if an interview subject is quoted using it, in general, it’s clearer to use terminology such as section, district, neighborhood, or low-income housing developments as applicable, or, more simply, describe the specific demographics of a particular part of a city.
Featured term: incarcerated person
An incarcerated person is someone confined to a prison, mental hospital, or similar institution. In general, person-first language, or phrasing such as “X individual, who was convicted of a felony,” puts the focus on the individual rather than one aspect of their circumstances, especially contrasted with terms such as ex-con, felon, convict, and criminal, which risk defining someone solely by their experience with the criminal legal system. In headlines or in shorthand, the term “prisoner” may be more straightforward and humanizing than a term like “felon” or “convict,” since not all individuals housed in jails and prisons are convicted of crimes, and such terms often imply a sense of guilt to the general public.
Jail and prison are not interchangeable: Generally, jail is for those who have just been arrested or are awaiting trial or sentencing, though some serving shorter sentences will do so in jail. Prison is generally for those serving longer sentences.
Featured term: homelessness/houselessness
Homelessness and houselessness are terms for the state of individuals currently lacking a regular nighttime residence. Person-first language such as “people without housing,” “people without homes,” or “person experiencing homelessness (or houselessness)” may read as less stigmatizing than a phrase like “the homeless,” as it reinforces that houselessness is one aspect of someone’s identity that doesn’t define them. “Houseless” or “unhoused” also decouples the concept from the more positive connotation of “home,” and encompasses more than “homeless,” as this could also refer to, for example, living in one’s vehicle.
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