One argument, never quite made explicit, was that this would enable drivers to avoid stigmatisation.

ECONOMIST: French number plates

They fear further stigmatisation now that the wheat has been formally separated from the chaff.

ECONOMIST: Repaying TARP money

The professor said the difference in numbers could be down to an "under-reporting" of languages, partly through lack of awareness or "fear of stigmatisation".

BBC: Census data on languages in Manchester is 'way out'

The stigmatisation of homosexuality is unacceptable but the contemporary urge to equate homosexual and heterosexual unions probably has its origins in the inability of modern societies to live comfortably with the phenomenon of homosexuality.

ECONOMIST: Letters | The

Clare Mailer from Perth and Kinross Council agreed and said: "In terms of youth homelessness, young home seekers is a much more sort of friendly and acceptable term and I think there is that stigmatisation in terms of homelessness particularly for young persons who have been through the care route".

BBC: Equal Opportunities Committee