The dictionary currently defines a circus as "an arena often covered by But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – known for caging naked women PETA’s proposal defines a circus as a "spectacle that relies on captive from the Boston Herald<\/a><\/p>\n As an English teacher and a linguist, we are shocked that PETA would Hey, PETA, quit messing with the English language! The Merriman If you feel that some circuses are cruel and exploitive, by all means PETA activists are cracking the whip on Springfield-based Merriam-Webster, demanding that the definition of "circus" be rewritten to label the big top as cruel to "captive" animal performers. The dictionary currently defines a circus as "an arena often covered by … Continue reading ![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/petacrul.jpg\")
PETA activists are cracking the whip on Springfield-based
\n Merriam-Webster<\/a>, demanding that the definition of "circus" be rewritten
\n to label the big top as cruel to "captive" animal performers. <\/p>\n
\na tent and used for variety shows, usually including feats of physical skill,
\nwild animal
\nacts, and performances by clowns."<\/p>\n
\nto protest the wearing of fur and protesting the living conditions of pet store
\niguanas – wants a new entry. <\/p>\n
\n animals" who are "forced to perform tricks under the constant threat
\n of punishment." It also wants the definition to say that "modern circuses
\n include only willing human performers."<\/p>\n
\n take their campaign to the editorial offices of a dictionary, of all
\n places. While opposition to animal cruelty is all well and good,
\n applying political editorial alterations to dictionary definitions
\n would be somewhat akin to publishing a cookbook with politically correct
\n admonitions after key ingredients (Beat 4 eggs **WARNING – Consumption
\n of more than two eggs per week can lead to dangerous levels of cholesterol**
\n Next, melt 8 tbs of butter (1 stick) **WARNING – butter contains saturated
\n fats, which have been shown to produce hardening of the arteries**,
\n etc.).<\/p>\n
\n Webster<\/a> dictionary happens to be our favorite on-line
\n dictionary<\/a> to
\n use with our students because of the concise definitions and
\n the free and fast pronunciation button – click it and hear a clear,
\n US Evening News prouncation of any word. But it is not WIKIPEDIA. No
\n user editing.<\/p>\n
\n expose them – hold a press conference, publish shocking pictures on
\n the internet, organize a protest, write your Congresspeople, march
\n outside the Circus sites, create a blog, sneak cameras behind the scenes
\n and
\n post
\n the video
\n on
\n a videoblog,
\n make a movie, publish a book, a pamphlet, a tract, a flyer, a glossy
\n magazine or your own dictionary, organize a concert, enlist animal-loving
\n celebrities,
\n go on Oprah, but for Webster’s sake, leave the language alone.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"