Word Gone Woke

Microsoft has included a new function in the latest version of its Word software that acts as a checker for inclusivity and offers PC alternatives to phrases which could upset others. The tech leader has added an additional feature which reads through a user's work and examines whether the language used may offend an individual. It does this by highlighting phrases focusing on gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity of 'socioeconomic status'.

The function, which produces a purple line beneath words or phrases it deems to be potentially problematic, can be turned on and off in Word's settings.

Microsoft Word also used red lines to point out spelling mistakes and green lines for grammatical errors.

After highlighting the 'insensitive' word or phrase, Word's new functionality will suggest more acceptable alternatives - which includes changing Postman Pat to 'mail carrier' or 'postal worker'.

The software also suggested altering astronaut Neil Armstrong's famous quote from 'one giant leap for mankind', to 'humankind' or 'humanity' instead!