PETA is urging the public to refrain from using common meat-based idioms, such as “taking the bull by the horns” and “bring home the bacon,” in an effort to curb language they say propagates animal cruelty.
“Just as it became unacceptable to use racist, homophobic, or ableist language, phrases that trivialize cruelty to animals will vanish as more people begin to appreciate animals for who they are and start ‘bringing home the bagels’ instead of the bacon,” the animal rights organization said on Twitter.
The tweet was accompanied by a graphic with alternative phrases people can use to “remove speciesism from your daily conversations.”
“Instead of “kill two birds with one stone” say “feed two birds with one scone,”” the organization said.
PETA’s tweet has been met with widespread criticism, mockery and anger from those on social media, with several users pointing out the health problems that can arise from feeding birds scones and from those who say the comparison to racist and homophobic language is unwarranted.
Other users acknowledged that animals deserve better treatment, but said the tweet from the animal rights group was “ridiculous” and “too much.”
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The post has been retweeted more than 10,000 times and has more than 40,000 comments.
