The Seattle Times explained in its real estate section that it is obliged under the Fair Housing Act to warn advertisers to stay away from words and phrases that hint at tenant preference "to avoid both civil and criminal liability." The words are: "Adult, Bachelor, Couple, Family (as in 'perfect for family'), Mature, No Children, One Person, Retired (housing for the elderly is sometimes exempted), Sex (may be OK in advertising for roommates), Single, Two People, Christian, Executive, Handicap (as in 'not suitable for'), Integrated, Membership Approval, Mentally Ill, Religious, Religious Landmark (near St. Mark's), Older Persons or Senior Citizens (housing communities designed for elderly may be acceptable), Physically Fit Person, Private (private community—no; private drive—OK), Race, Restricted, Senior Discount."

Gideon Kanner, law professor emeritus at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, also notes that in Oregon and California, ads can say "no smoking" but not "no smokers." According to Kanner, "We're dealing here with ding-a-lings."

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