An Inclusive Litany

12/20/99

Editors of the New York Times must find other hobbies now that it may no longer use the term "voodoo economics." According to its latest editorial style sheet, "Voodoo is a religion with many followers in African and the West Indies, not to mention the United States. They are offended by disparaging uses of voodoo to mean irrational beliefs."

Writers at the Times also may not refer to a woman as a housewife or homemaker. But the style sheet also prohibits disclosing a man's occupation without also disclosing his wife's situation in life, even if she is a housewife or homemaker.