BE 528: Should You Say "Long Time, No See" in English?

This episode addresses potentially offensive English phrases, focusing on "long time no see" and "no can do." The hosts explore how these common expressions originated from mimicking and denigrating Chinese or Native American speech patterns, a fact often unknown to native English speakers. They cite an inclusive language document from the University of California, Riverside, which advises against using such language to promote inclusivity. While acknowledging the difficulty of eliminating all negative connotations from language, the hosts suggest alternative phrases like "it's been a while" or "I'm unable to do that." They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and informed word choices, especially in professional settings, while cautioning against berating others for unintentional use of these phrases.