Abstract
The widely used Australian expression ‘Blind Freddy could see that’ is proposed as an exemplar of the terms blind and blindness in conveying social meaning. Examples of the expression's popular use are presented, and the extraordinary origin of the term explored. It is concluded that the expression should cease to exist, and that the challenge of promoting ‘people-first’ language as its replacement should lie primarily with: (a) Australians who are themselves blind or significantly vision impaired; and (b) with individuals and organizations who identify with the aims and aspirations of those who are sight impaired.
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