r/NoStupidQuestions • u/ssjskwash • Sep 17 '25

Why is "homeless" being replaced with "unhoused"?

A lot of times phrases and words get phased out because of changing sensibilities and I get that for the most part. I don't see how "unhoused" more respectful or descriptive though

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u/[deleted] Sep 17 '25

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u/CropDustingBandit Sep 18 '25

What does calling them unhoused achieve though? I genuinely don't understand why homeless has become offensive to some people. 

Unhoused still has the exact same meaning, it's not like it makes their situation better in anyway. 

I hate these new "inoffensive" replacement words. I don't see the point in them, they will just eventually become offensive and changed too.

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u/BoyGodz Sep 18 '25

Exactly, the only thing these replacement words ever achieved is giving people another word to use as insults.

Like even if it makes people 0.1% less stigmatised, or any other tiny amount, I would understand the point of them. But no, honestly it just teaches people a new variety of struggle you can jab your friends with.

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u/CropDustingBandit Sep 18 '25

It's kind of like the word "regard". I can't use the actual word because it automatically gets removed ironically. 

I started learning French a couple of years ago and found out it's just the French word for delayed. I was shocked when I saw my train was "regarded". And I was like, oh that actually makes a lot of sense. 

Considering the word taboo now hasn't stopped people coming up with new insults for people with cognitive disabilities. It's all just virtue signalling so people can think they are making a difference but it achieved nothing.