CBeebies has sparked a debate online after one of its presenters used the term 'snowperson' instead of 'snowman' in a recent episode of one of its popular children's shows - and Piers Morgan has acted like the ultimate snowflake.
Catie Munnings, 20, who presents Catie's Amazing Machines on the BBC's children's channel CBeebies, said during a recent episode:
Snow is amazing. You get to build snowpeople and go sledging.
However, unsurprisingly, the comments have sparked some seriously angered backlash, including from everyone's favourite right wing pundit, Piers Morgan.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the stalwart of 'not hot takes' got riled up, saying:
You don't build snowpeople you see, you build 'snowmen'.
For 10,000 years, we built 'snowmen'...
We, part of mankind, build... snowmen.
Catie, you seem a lovely lady whoever you are, you're 20 years old and you present CBeebies, they're not 'snowpeople', they're 'snowmen'.
In a thoughtful moment, the long suffering Susanna Reid added:
I don't think a single feminist is upset about the term 'snowmen'.
And therein, dear readers, lies the rub.
The irony is that Morgan himself is in this instance playing the 'snowflake' and getting upset over nothing.
This isn't the first time that Morgan has got visibly upset over the use of more inclusive terminology, and, you know, general progress towards a kinder and more accepting society that doesn't demonise those who are transgender or non-binary.
Last year, the presenter took to Twitter to offer his 'hot take' on snowpeople. In December, he posted:
Right, I’m off to build a non-binary gender fluid snowperson.
Right, I’m off to build a non-binary gender fluid snowperson. ❄️❄️— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1512904360
He isn't the only celebrity to get upset about the terminology. Comedian Ricky Gervais also offered his 'hot take'.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote:
He then followed it up with another Tweet:
Just to be clear, I used the term ‘snowperson’ somewhat ironically in response to this news item… https://t.co/dXGkVUICzc— Ricky Gervais (@Ricky Gervais) 1541422223
Other Twitter users were quick to offer their opinions.
Some thought it should be whatever people wanted it to be.
@amypackham15 @HuffPostUK It should be whatever the builder says it is⛄— Jonny flanagan🏐🍀 (@Jonny flanagan🏐🍀) 1541419903
How about 'snowfolk'?
@amypackham15 @HuffPostUK For me, it's more the lack of lyrical flare that went into "snowpeople". Why not "snowfol… https://t.co/6EQsgJkmsr— 💖 Tariyé 💖 (@💖 Tariyé 💖) 1541419505
@TariyePeterside @amypackham15 @HuffPostUK Loving snowfolk! ⛄️— Caro Townsend (@Caro Townsend) 1541419790
Or, 'snowsquad'.
Others noted that other aspects of our language have moved along, such as 'firefighters', so shouldn't snowpeople evolve, too?
@amypackham15 I do see why - firemen are now firefighters and so they should be. There's no problem with changing o… https://t.co/tVZ9oVptY8— Jessica Morgan (@Jessica Morgan) 1541419429
While one summed it up.
@amypackham15 The "political correctness gone mad" brigade are the biggest bunch of snowflakes out there. Constantl… https://t.co/kLlxflYOpz— Flora Elliot (@Flora Elliot) 1541423114