Alphabetical Entries: O

to keep up with changing realities in the workplace, use network, professional/career network, connections, business connections, contacts. See also old-girls' network.

what began as a tongue-in-cheek takeoff on the powerful and long-established old-boys' networks today functions as a valuable means of sharing information for some women. However, to keep up with changing realities in the workplace, it is often appropriate to use network, professional/career network, connections, business connections, contacts.

replace this vague term with a more precise adjective depending on your meaning: particular, fussy, finicky, fastidious, pernickety, set in one's ways, solitary, precise, old-fashioned, repressed, nervous, fearful. These adjectives can be used for both men and women and are associated with unmarried older women only insofar as they convey the inaccurate, stereotypical meaning of "old-maidish."

this is more of an affectionate term of respect than a negative reflection on age and people sometimes self-identify this way. Although it has a masculine cast (forever associated with the grizzled prospector of yore), it can be used of women too.

does anyone self-identify as an "oldster"? See also youngster.

ombuds, ombud, ombudscommittee, ombudsteams, watchdog, investigator, referee, representative, surveillant, intermediary, go-between, censor, monitor, guardian of the public good, regulatory agent, protective services, complaints investigator, troubleshooter. The Swedish word is inclusive—the "man" means "one"—but its English use is not. University campuses now have Student Ombuds Services and at least one large metropolitan area has an ombudscop program under which police officers respond to neighborhood concerns.

see pansexual.

one person/citizen/member/legislator/voter, one vote, one vote per voter/person/citizen/member/legislator.

one of the gang, a regular person.

unless quoting Neil Armstrong, use one small step for a human being, one giant leap for the world/human race.

one-person, or substitutes such as two-seater boat, two-way mayoral race, three-person tent, three-way contest, four-passenger plane. Or/guys, use a noun: two-seater, tent for two. For "one-man" try: individual, lone, solo, singlehanded, solitary. For two-man/three-man block use double/triple block. Terms like twelve-man jury can use twelve-member jury. Alternatives for "one-man show" include: one-person/solo/individual/single-artist show/exhibition/exhibit/performance. As there is no parallel nonsexist phrase for "one-man band," use one-woman band or one-man band.

one-upping, oneupness, the art of one-upping, one-uppance, going one better, keeping a jump ahead, getting the jump on, trying to get the best of, competitiveness, competition, competitive skill, rivalry, outdoing someone, quest for superiority, keeping up with the Joneses, vying for top honors. Stephen Potter, who popularized "oneupmanship" with his book One-Upmanship, used "one-upping" and "oneupness" in the same book. With use, the shorter and punchier "one-upping" quickly begins to sound "right": "Keeping score of old scores and scars, getting even and one-upping, always makes you less than you are" (Malcolm Forbes).

although the mention of sexual orientation and sex identity is not often relevant, "openly" and the more current "out" are acceptable to refer to someone who self-identifies as lesbian, gay, or transgender in their personal, public, or professional life. See also admitted/avowed homosexual, coming out.

today's gender fluidity renders such a binary assumption inapt and inaccurately positions men and women as opposites, rather than merely different. Sometimes used coyly in sexist contexts, it also perpetuates an unnecessarily adversarial attitude between women and men. Writer Dorothy L. Sayers wondered why it has to be the "opposite" sex; why not the "neighboring" sex? See also battle of the sexes.

nursing/nurse assistant, N.A. Aides and orderlies traditionally did the same work, but all aides were women and all orderlies were men. Most hospitals and nursing homes now use the inclusive terms.

One of the interesting changes that has taken place in today's business climate is that many organization 'men' are now women (Don Ethan Miller, The Book of Jargon). Until a more compact, inclusive term appears, use organization woman/women and organization man/men. Although they don't carry quite the same meaning, you could also consider team player, loyal employee. See also company man.

use Asian, Asian American, or be specific: Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, etc. In 2016, the Obama administration barred its use in all federal documents; Rep. Grace Meng, who sponsored the legislation, said that "at long last this insulting and outdated term will be gone for good." (Note that medicine, rugs, art, and other items may be described as oriental.) Not everyone agrees: "I don't see it that way.... Besides, the term has been steadily falling out of circulation since the 1950s, and it's mainly used today by older Asians and the proprietors of hundreds if not thousands of restaurants, hotels, shops, and organizations with Oriental in their name" (Jayne Tsuchiyama, "What's wrong with the word 'Oriental'?" Los Angeles Times, June 1, 2016). On the other hand, using such a broad descriptor of an individual is poor writing: the adjective might be useful, but nobody needs the noun "Oriental."See also microaggressions.

see openly lesbian/gay/transgender.

prostitution business. See also prostitute.

nature-lover, outdoors enthusiast/person, fresh-air lover/type, fan of the great outdoors; outdoorswoman and outdoorsman. Or, be specific: hunter, camper, fisher, hiker, birdwatcher, canoer, mountain climber. See also fisherman.

supervisor, overseer, boss. See also master (n.).

overpower, overcome, overset, outwit, outflank, out-maneuver, defeat, conquer, vanquish, discomfit, confound. For discussion of "master" words, see master (n.).

overpowering, overwhelming, all-powerful, irresistible, invincible, unconquerable, indomitable, unquenchable, incontestable. For discussion of "master" words, see master (n.).

sometimes the correct term is foreign; "overseas" is not synonymous with "every country but us"; for example Mexico and Canada aren't "overseas markets" whereas Hawaii actually is but isn't likely to be so categorized.

sensitive, considerate, thoughtful; thin-skinned, touchy, easily hurt. Nick Levinson points out that "oversensitive" is used to characterize uppity minority folk. It has also been used as an epithet for people working on diversity, anti-discrimination, justice, and multicultural issues. It is not clear what the opposite of "oversensitive" would be. Since even being "sensitive" is suspect, it must be "insensitive."