"Let's see if the guys can beat you," says Alex Trebek. Really?

[CTyankee]

He said that to a female winner of tonight's "Jeopardy" referring to the finals of the tournament and I'm a little ticked off.

The young woman played very well and even beat a male Yalie in the final. Did Trebek HAVE to say that?

Maybe he could just say "Let's see if the other contestants can beat you." Wouldn't that be better?

[veganlush]

1. no.

[taterguy]

2. No, 'other contestants' would not be better

One phrase is one syllable.

The other phrase is five syllables.

That's why Alex on TV and you're not.

[CTyankee]

5. OH! I'm FINE with "other contestants"!

Couldn't be happier!

That's why I'm on Democratic Underground. You?

[taterguy]

6. You're on DU to complain about phrases used by game show hosts?

Whatever floats your boat.

[CTyankee]

10. Just thought it was a little raw for a female contestant up against two guys.

I don't think she NEEDED that remark. I thought she did perfectly fine against her competitors. I doubt that SHE wanted to hear what Trebek said.

So I was amazed he said it...such a blast from the past...it was an anomaly...when do folks make remarks like that, anyway?

Pretty strange, no?

[gateley]

11. It's been my observation, taterguy, that you're on DU to insult other DUers.

:shrug:

To each his own.

[gateley]

3. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it any more than if they were redheads

and he said 'let's see if the redheads can beat you' -- lame example, but you know what I mean. IMO, anyway. :7

[CTyankee]

7. You might be right there, gateley! But her other contestants were both male so

I kinda made that association...if ya know what I mean...

[gateley]

9. Yeah, understandable reaction. Hopefully those days are almost gone! nt

[rfranklin]

18. I think he was challenging the manhood of those "guys"

How emasculated they must have felt!

[PBS Poll-435]

4. My favorite show, but Alex has been a little weird and un-pc this season

AND THE CLUES SUCK!

[CTyankee]

24. I didn't get the clue tonight! Hang my head in shame...

[alanquatermass]

26. Are YOU pc? I am. (Proud of it, too!)

Although I have endured my fair share of abuse about it on the job (mostly good-natured... mostly) and with friends and family.

Still don't understand what's so "bad" about being Politically Correct.

[PBS Poll-435]

31. 95% of the time and working on it. nt

[CTyankee]

32. It is what used to be called "polite."

[alanquatermass]

39. Hmm. I hear ya, CT, but I might disagree (politely, of course)...

Certain things that WERE considered polite or acceptable back in the day, no longer are.

For example, at one time it was all right to use the word "retarded", even in "polite" conversation, but that is no longer the case (thank God!)

And I remember when "gay" was an acceptable description of anything that was fey or "unmanly" -- now, thank God (or rather, thank GLAAD!) it is considered offensive.

Ditto for "black" (for African American) and "midget", as well.

[JackRiddler]

8. I'll take Belabored Overinterpretations for $200, Alex.

[CTyankee]

12. Well, HE said it, not me...

[JI7]

13. i think your making it something that it's not

[CTyankee]

14. It was not a big deal. I just wondered about why he said it that way...

nobody should get bent...

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CTyankee]

19. Aw, I was just wondering...goodness me. why such a hissyfit over my post?

I was "just sayin".

How does that hurt you?

[Dogmudgeon]

16. Let's *SEE*? Trebek privileges the sighted! That bastard!

I keed, I keed!

But really, verbal slips may betray cultural biases, but they don't, and shouldn't, be interpreted as slurs.

--d!

[CTyankee]

20. Well, no slurs, really, but cultural biases, probably...just a bit, don't you think?

Oh well...

[bluedigger]

17. I fail to see how that is in any way insulting.

If the other two contestants were male (and by the way "guys" is now accepted as a gender neutral phrase) then he was simply challenging them to beat the other contestant, and implying it would be difficult. Not sexist, not non-PC, not a problem.:shrug:

[CTyankee]

21. Not insulting...I just thought more gender neutral language would be appropriate...

esp. since her two rivals on this show were male...

Basically, it was just an observation, because I find it fascinating.

I also find several of the comments here fascinating...

[bluedigger]

25. OK

Well, like I said...much ado about nothing...it's a game show, not The State of the Union Address.

guy1    
Show IPA
noun, verb, guyed, guy·ing.
–noun
1.
Informal . a man or boy; fellow: He's a nice guy.
2.
Usually, guys. Informal . persons of either sex; people: Could one of you guys help me with this?
3.
Chiefly British Slang . a grotesquely dressed person.
4.
( often initial capital letter ) British . a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes that is paraded through the streets and burned on Guy Fawkes Day.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Guys

[CTyankee]

27. Hey, thanks for the elucidation!

It is entirely possible that Trebek meant it in just that way...it was just a little strange in this day and age, really because "guy" is interpreted as male (as you point out in your first reference)...

I don't know why my little observation got people in such a snit, really. I just think we should use gender neutral terms.

As English speakers, we have the words. We simply have to use them.

[bluedigger]

33. It's a singular/plural dichotomy; has been for decades...

[CTyankee]

34. And so is the word "contestants." It is gender neutral and in this example more exactly correct.

"Guys" can mean anyone. "Contestants" is a more accurate description.

Yes?

[bluedigger]

40. Nope. But thanks for playing, and please accept this consolation prize.

Contestants is more specific. Correct is an absolute, even though is is often used...incorrectly.

[CTyankee]

42. Here's how I would explain it to my ESOL students, whom I tutor.

"Contestants" more accurately describe the people involved. "Guys" could mean other than contestants and therefore not as accurate.

See?

[Toucano]

28. I see that as upside down.

Because both challengers were male, gender specific language is okay. It doesn't leave anybody out.

Had the challengers been male and female, gender neutral language would have been in order.

Since they are "guys", referring to them as "guys" doesn't say anything about the champion - either way.

[CTyankee]

30. I may be wrong but I assumed that Trebek's reference was to the "guys" in

the final round, which I took to be all male and she would be the only female...correct me if I'm wrong...

[Toucano]

36. I didn't see the program, so I can't say.

I was just going by your description in the OP which I interpreted as being three people: a champion (female) and two challengers (both male).

"Let's see if you guys can beat her," would have been a challenge to the two challengers (both male).

There may be some subtlety that you gained by witnessing it that's lost in the recounting or a different configuration of players.

[CTyankee]

37. At the point Trebek said this, she had already beaten the other two contestants (both male).

So I just assumed she meant the other finalists, who were also all male. Perhaps not...we'll see...

[AlabamaLibrul]

22. Somewhere in a restaruant: "Are you guys ready to order?" Shock! Horror! n/t

[CTyankee]

23. Well now, there you go Alabama!

That settles it!

[malaise]

29. It didn't bother me

because she's been beating both genders from the start of the tournament.

[AngryOldDem]

35. Just Alex trying to make small talk.

[blondeatlast]

38. I watched a taping of a cheesy game show he used to host in the early '80s.

He hit shamelessly on a pretty contestant pre-taping; it was gross. When I say "hit on" I mean he wasn't at all subtle about it.

I've always laughed seeing him on "Jeopardy" since. He's not what he appears to be.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

41. Considering Alex Trebek thinks everyone hangs on his every word

I'm glad someone finally cares.......quite an accomplishment.

[CTyankee]

43. Well, I don't care that much about him...just wondering about the "guy" usage at this point.

And I was "wondering"? What DID he mean?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

44. Really?

Isn't there a neighbor not recycling somewhere or something?

I can't imagine anyone watching that show and getting so hung up on a throwaway line that the first thing they do is come here to post about it.

Let us know when he calls someone a "poophead", THAT will be interesting.