After Kleenex’s mansize ‘sexist’ row, here’s what would happen to other products if snowflakes degendered them too
Kleenex having to drop the word 'mansize' from its tissues is just the latest reminder of how, in the modern world, the letters m-a-n have come to form a dirty word
IT is a spot of rebranding hanky-panky that could quite possibly reduce grown men to tears.
Kleenex announced this week that its larger range of paper hankies will no longer be called “mansize”, but “extra large”.
The change comes amid fears the iconic label, which has spent more than 60 years on our shop shelves, will now be branded sexist.
Kleenex is not the only company running scared that their overly macho products may fall foul of the PC snowflake generation.
Waitrose recently came under fire over its Gentleman’s Smoked Chicken Caesar Roll, a butty created by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal.
The supermarket giant has now agreed to change the name after a flurry of complaints from feminists about the blatantly sexist sarnie.
So which other brands might have to “man-down”, if they are not to be scorched by a firestorm of criticism from the PC brigade?
It could be bye bye Mastercard, hello Supremocard. And Royal Mail could be an all-embracing Royal LGBTIQ.
Fast-food chain Burger King risks being dethroned over its too-masculine name.
After all, calling itself after a male heading a colonising, feudal regime is a slap in the face for everyone else, and sexism gone mad. Burger Monarch would be better, or maybe Butternut Squash Commune.
Then there’s rival burger chain Five Guys.
OK, so it was named after the five Murrell brothers who founded it in 1986, but surely it’s time for this laddish lot to get in touch with their feminine side?
How about: One Guy, A Girl, A Transgender And Two Non-binary Persons. It’s er, snappy.
And while we’re at it the Menkind stores, which sell gadgets and novelty gifts for — whisper it — men, needs to get a grip.
How do they think everyone else feels entering their all-male domain. Emasculation is in order. And fast.
Then there is the shocking boys-club bias in football.
The names of not one but two Premier League giants contain the dreaded “Man” word.
Step forward City and United, who should both be ashamed and will henceforth have the prefix Humanchester.
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Also making waves are Fisherman’s Friend lozenges which have been soothing the throats of workers toiling away at sea since 1865.
The brand may have conquered the world, making more than five billion lozenges a year — but it could be doomed this century unless it becomes more inclusive.
How about Fisherperson’s Friend? That should stop any carping. . .
