When did we start calling everyday items ‘she’?
Hey girlies!” the shop assistant exclaims, handing out glasses of prosecco. She wheels over a rack of wedding dresses and introduces them one by one. “This is Zoe, everyone meet Zoeee!” she squeals. “She’s quite fragile, but she slips on super nicely. Go and try her on…” Moments later, we meet Daisy. “Oh, now she is truly special. She has a little train that she likes to be clipped up before the dancing starts. Let’s just undo her buttons…” Next, we meet Cordelia, Agnes, Rosie, Thea… and on it goes. My friend, the bride-to-be, notices the rest of us looking a bit queasy. “I know,” she whispers, her face going red under her veil. “It’s been like this at every shop.”
Now, obviously this was a very happy day – I was going shopping for a wedding dress with my best friend! – but the way the shop assistant kept referring to the dresses like they were actual living women (or a litter of rescue puppies waiting to be adopted) made me, well, sad. It made me sad because she was taking a modern quirk of language that I love and spoiling it. I’m a big fan of the trend that’s emerged in recent years of referring to objects as “she” and “her” – some corners of Mumsnet think it’s sexist, but I think it’s funny and playful, and injects a bit of flair and glamour into the mundane.
Hearing it deployed in this forced way, though, in a commercial setting, just felt cynical. It read like a marketing ploy, designed to encourage customers to feel some kind of bond with the shop’s wares – and therefore less horrified at the idea of shelling out hundreds, or even thousands, for a dress. Plus, the poor shop assistant (who’d clearly been instructed to speak this way) sounded a bit deranged. I had a brief vision of her sleeping next to the dresses in her bed at night, wishing them all sweet dreams as she drifted off among the satin and lace.
Of course, for centuries, ships have been referred to as “she” in English – a practice that, I’m told, relates to the idea of a female figure, such as a mother, guiding and protecting a crew. The female pronoun also pops up when talking about cars and countries, and even the Earth and the moon. But the practice of calling all manner of inanimate objects “she” has become much more widespread in our lexicon in recent years, and it’s a gift from queer and drag culture, and more specifically Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness.
When the reboot of the early Noughties makeover show arrived in 2018, it made headlines for “refashioning the English language”. Not only did certain turns of phrase from the grooming consultant go viral, such as “strugs to func” (struggling to function), but his habit of referring to everything – whether it was a moisturiser, a new top, or himself – as “she” was completely infectious. “I know hyaluronic acid doesn’t sound like a healing restorative angel baby,” he wrote in one Instagram post, “but she really is.”
Soon, this way of speaking transcended queer culture, and we all started doing it, because it adds a warmth and a humour to even the driest of sentences. Case in point, I met someone at a party last week, and when I told her where I lived in London, she replied: “Camberwell… I’ve heard of her but I’ve never been.” A colleague of mine recently wrote a love letter to the semicolon, affectionately referring to the punctuation mark as “our girl”. On Reddit, meanwhile, one user said he liked to do it while performing sometimes boring household tasks such as cooking (“Oh Miss Thyme can come to the party too, get in here girl”) or throwing out old food that’s past its sell-by date (“I don’t know her”).
But now, businesses have got their grubby mitts all over this trend, and they’re ruining our fun. While advertising campaigns have long been anthropomorphising objects to sell them – hello, Michelin Man – now, it’s simpler for companies to just call products “she”. Michelin girlie, anyone? Take one activewear brand, Tala, which is a repeat offender on social media. One of the company’s recent Instagram ads carries the caption: “She’s just another legging, right? Wrong, so wrong.”
Go on TikTok, meanwhile, and there are countless influencers exclaiming “She’s gorgeous!” over the latest lip liner or linen dress. And employees in bridalwear shops are clearly being trained to do the same thing. It’s a blatant effort to get us to buy more. Not only does this feel icky and manipulative, but it’s taking something lighthearted and turning it into something too serious. This trend? Yes, she’s thriving, but she’s also being woefully misused. Let’s be gentle with her, please.
Elon Musk leaves the White House – but says DOGE is here to stay
Elon Musk announced his departure from the government on Wednesday after leading President Donald Trump’s efforts to slim down the federal bureaucracy.
The billionaire took to X on Wednesday night to share the news.
“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” he wrote. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
Musk’s 130-day term as a special government employee was set to come to an end this week.
His departure comes just a day after he slammed the main legislation to push forward Trump’s agenda, saying that he was “disappointed” in what the president refers to as his “big beautiful bill.”
The bill includes tax cuts and stepped-up efforts to enforce immigration restrictions. Musk told CBS that the legislation was a “massive spending bill” that expands the federal deficit and “undermines the work” of the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE.
“I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” said Musk. “But I don’t know if it could be both.”
Musk’s interview with CBS was published on Tuesday night. Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump defended the legislation and his agenda, discussing the politics behind the negotiation of the bill.
“I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects of it,” said the president, adding that further changes may be in the offing.
“We’re going to see what happens,” he said. “It’s got a way to go.”
Republicans recently passed the legislation in the House, and it’s under review in the Senate, where some Republicans share Musk’s concerns.
“I sympathize with Elon being discouraged,” Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson said.
Musk aimed at cutting $1 trillion in government spending, but he didn’t come close to that goal.
“The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized,” the billionaire told The Washington Post. “I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.”
Musk’s criticism of Trump’s legislation comes as he puts his focus once again on his companies, such as electric carmaker Tesla and SpaceX, the rocket manufacturer. He has said that he will rein in his political spending.
“In terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future,” he said earlier this month.
“I think I’ve done enough,” he added.
Lisa Gilbert, the co-president of Public Citizen, said in a statement following the announcement that Musk’s legacy, “is lost livelihoods for critical government employees, hindered American education, loss of funding for scientists, and the violation of Americans’ personal privacy, all in the service of corrupt tech-bro billionaire special interests.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Arsenal close in on Zubimendi as Man Utd near first signing
The transfer window is almost open with the Club World Cup creating an emergency, short-term window — though clubs not involved in the new Fifa tournament are pushing ahead with plans to strengthen this summer.
Manchester United have an awful lot of work to do in the window after a disastrous season, and Matheus Cunha appears to be the first one through the door, with Wolves set to bank more than £60m for the Brazilian forward. There could also be exits from Old Trafford, though, with captain Bruno Fernandes among those being linked with moves away.
Liverpool are ready to go from strength to strength after winning the Premier League title, with a new striker perhaps on the wish list as right-back Jeremie Frimpong nears a switch to help fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure. A forward to monitor could be Hugo Ekitike, who is also a Chelsea target, with the Eintracht Frankfurt striker one of the hottest properties in European football. Arsenal, meanwhile, look to be close to their first addition with Martin Zubimendi set for a medical.
You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free, while all the latest updates, rumours and done deals from what promises to be a chaotic transfer window will be covered in the blog below:
17,000 forced to evacuate as forest fires rage in Canada
Thousands of people are fleeing their homes in the Canadian province of Manitoba as fast-moving wildfires burn through parched forests, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency and request military support.
The fires forced the complete evacuation of Flin Flon, a city near the Saskatchewan border, after winds shifted and pushed flames dangerously close to the community.
Manitoba premier Wab Kinew said at a press conference that 17,000 people needed to leave their homes. “The Manitoba government has declared a province-wide state of emergency due to the wildfire situation,” he said.
Flin Flon mayor George Fontaine said all of the almost 5,000 residents of the city of Flin Flon had been asked to move out.
“I can tell you everybody has to be out by midnight and that includes me,” Mr Fontaine said on Wednesday. “I’m busy packing a couple of things and everybody is getting as organised as we can.”
Many people were put up at soccer fields and community centres in Winnipeg and other cities, he said, and federal armed forces were arriving to help transport the evacuees.
“This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans’ living memory and it will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,” Mr Kinew said, adding that military support had been requested to assist with evacuations and emergency response.
Military aircraft would be deployed “imminently” to help move people out of endangered remote northern communities, he said.
“Pray for Flin Flon, pray for Pimicikamak, pray for Mathias Colomb, pray for Cross Lake, pray for everybody in Manitoba who’s out of their homes right now,” the premier said.
The evacuations extended into neighbouring Saskatchewan, with the town of Creighton across the border telling residents to leave.
By Thursday, Manitoba had reported more than 100 wildfires this year, already surpassing the province’s seasonal average. Officials said 22 fires were currently active, with hot, dry conditions fuelling their rapid spread.
In all, there are now 134 active fires across Canada, including in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Half are considered out of control.
Creighton mayor Bruce Fidler said upwards of 1,200 residents had been told to leave town. He said wildfire officials had told him flames could move closer by Thursday and cut off road access.
“We declared a state of emergency and put out a mandatory evacuation so that we can get as many people out of the area as possible to be safe and before the roads become impassable,” Mr Fidler said.
Nearly 200,000 hectares of land have burned so far this year, triple the five-year annual average, according to provincial authorities.
“It was very smokey. You could see the fires four or five kilometres away and moving fast. The flames were shooting over 120 feet high,” Sheryl Matheson, a lodge owner from the small community of Sherridon who fled with her family, told AFP.
Residents across affected areas have been reporting poor air quality and limited visibility. Emergency shelters have been set up in nearby cities, with buses transporting residents from remote areas.
The scale and speed of the fires have alarmed fire management officials. While wildfires are a natural part of Canada’s boreal forest ecosystem, the increasing intensity and frequency in recent years have been linked to a changing climate.
Warmer temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increased lightning activity have all contributed to longer and more destructive fire seasons across the country.
Last year, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with over 18 million hectares burned and smoke drifting as far as Europe and the US. Scientists have warned that without urgent climate action, such extreme events will continue to escalate.
Officials in Manitoba said that while some fires were being brought under control, others remained too dangerous to fight directly. Air tankers and ground crews had been deployed, they said, but shifting winds had made containment efforts difficult.
There is no immediate forecast for significant rain in the area, meaning conditions could remain volatile in the days ahead.
Britain’s first-ever flying taxi takes to the skies
Britain’s first-ever flying taxi has completed its first journey as the government backs plans to introduce the service by 2028.
The prototype VX4 electric aircraft is the first of its kind to complete a cross-country trip from the Cotswolds in normal airspace outside of test conditions in European aviation history.
Developed by Bristol-based start-up Vertical Aerospace, the vehicle is capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers, and can reach speeds of up to 150 mph across a distance of 100 miles.
Last month, the government announced £20 million of funding to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality.
The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner.
Chief test pilot Simon Davies said: “Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me.
“Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we’ve done. There are aircraft which are safe and capable but not always enjoyable to fly.
“The VX4 was not only safe but was an absolute pleasure. It is responsive, smooth, simple to operate and the sound level from the propellers is quiet and pleasant in the cockpit. An honour to fly, and a real testament to the incredible team behind it.”
Industry experts believe the flying taxis could improve connectivity across the UK, with a journey from Brighton to Heathrow estimated to be just 20 minutes.
In March, US company Joby Aviation announced its collaboration with Virgin Atlantic which aims to offer “seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK”, starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
Joby’s electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph.
Labour MP Alice Macdonald raised a scheme by Norwich Airport that aims to “make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation” and invited the transport minister to “take a flight on an electric plane”.
Transport minister Mike Kane stressed to MPs earlier this month the government’s commitment to “maximise the benefits of future flight technologies, including flying taxis”.
AI-powered robot salesperson could be coming to UK showrooms
Robots powered by AI could soon be selling cars to customers in the UK as a global car manufacturer debuts an unusual new member of staff.
Omoda and Jaecoo owner Chery has showed off robotic sales assistant ‘Mornine’ at the Shangai Motor Show on 23 April. It can greet customers, show them around a car, and even make them a tea or coffee.
The AI robot uses machine learning to improve its performance, learning from interactions with customers. It has been trialled in showrooms in Malaysia and could soon be rolled out worldwide, a spokesperson for Chery said.
The car maker added that Mornine has capabilities including perception, cognition, decision making and task execution and explained the “ideal use case” was for “dealer-level admin and service.”
The car brand’s robotics experts said Mornine uses speech and vision inputs that allow it to “accurately interpret commands including physical gestures”.
Ian Wallace, spokesperson for Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo brands in the UK, said Mornine could even be offered for use in people’s homes in the future if showroom trials go well.
He said: “Mornine is an intelligent showroom aid. She can show customers around a vehicle, she can answer questions and she can make teas and coffees, so in a busy showroom environment, if staff are tied up, she’s there to be a helpful face of the brand.
“She has learning capabilities so she can react to commands and learn your voice so if you were to use her in a household environment she would start to learn what you like and don’t like.”
Chery said the robot uses ‘automotive-grade hardware’ to allow it to walk upright and it has ‘dexterous hands’ to allow it to grip items. It can also distinguish between voices to identify different customers.
The car maker also showcased a robotic dog called ‘Argos’ at the Shanghai show. They say the AI-powered animal is designed to offer companionship to those who are unable to keep real pets at home.
Andrew Tate and brother charged with rape and human trafficking in UK
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been charged with rape and human trafficking in the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed.
Andrew, a 38-year-old influencer and former kickboxer, faces 10 charges connected to three alleged victims, including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.
Tristan, 36, faces 11 charges connected to one alleged victim, including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking.
The brothers deny the total of 21 charges dating back to between 2012 and 2015.
The charging decision was made after prosecutors reviewed a file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police.
A European arrest warrant was issued for the brothers in 2024, but ongoing criminal matters in Romania have taken priority.
The pair are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania.
A CPS spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have authorised charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate for offences including rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm against three women.
“These charging decisions followed receipt of a file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police.
“A European arrest warrant was issued in England in 2024, and as a result the Romanian courts ordered the extradition to the UK of Andrew and Tristan Tate.
“However, the domestic criminal matters in Romania must be settled first.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendants have the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Trump’s attack on Harvard is an opportunity for our universities
At last year’s National Schools Regatta for junior rowers, the biggest queue was for the US universities tent.
Overwhelmingly attended by the private schools, the event, held at Eton College’s Dorney Lake, draws a large crowd of parents, grandparents, relations and family friends as well as competitors. Striped blazers and crests are much in evidence. The racing on the water is fierce and compelling. Still, folks were interested in getting their loved ones into a top American college, possibly but not necessarily using their sporting prowess as a lever.
As Oxbridge has become increasingly closed to the fee-payers in recent years, attention has turned across the Atlantic to the US’s prestige establishments. Every private school these days has someone devoted to advising on which US university to pick and how to navigate the application process. Fairs are held to promote their wares. They are packed with stands filled with representatives and experts on hand who are eager to impress parents anxious to learn more.
This is why Donald Trump’s onslaught against the universities, even if it proves to be temporary, has caused profound shock.
Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security moved to end Harvard’s ability to enrol students from other countries, halting their visa applications, ostensibly to root out supposed “woke” radicals. Trump said he would also be further cutting federal government contracts to the university, which has witnessed major pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
At the very least, the president has signalled chaos and uncertainty ahead. Just as well-heeled families thought they had found a ready alternative to Oxford and Cambridge, that route may not be so guaranteed.
Equally, his crackdown represents a golden opportunity for British higher education to step forward and fill the void. In the blinkered snobbishness that engulfs the independent sector and a few state schools, the ones that are selective and serve as middle-class magnets, only a handful of domestic universities after Oxbridge are worth a candle. Durham, St Andrews, Edinburgh, and some London colleges, they believe, are up there.
After that, in the narrow eyes of parents, teachers and, sadly, brain-washed pupils – and, too often, employers – it quickly falls away. Members of the Russell Group, the self-appointed association that likes to think it comes second following Oxbridge, may claim elitism, but really, for many, they are just that: second division. As for the rest, they barely register.
In 2023-24, the US hosted 1.1 million overseas students, of which 10,000 were from Britain. That total generated $43.8bn through tuition, housing and living expenses, according to the organisation Nafsa: Association of International Educators. Some of that money is lost to the UK, not to mention the brains and talent, which may never return home, preferring to settle in the US.
For US universities, this business – for that is what it has become – is a lucrative money-spinner, a vital earner. This is a chance for Britain to restate its case, precisely at the point where the supply of students from abroad and their higher fees is drying up. Competition is fierce – already China has said it is willing to take those who find their US entry barred.
It’s true that Britain’s universities only have themselves to blame for this drain. Our colleges have grown crazily during the past few decades, and some bodies and the courses they offer do not pass muster. Likewise, though, we should not lose sight of the sheer prejudice that also works against them.
Neither does it help that our government has targeted universities for spending cuts. Theirs is a largely battered, bruised and deeply demoralised sector. If they are going to raise their game, as they should, to exploit this sudden opening the emboldened, belligerent US president has afforded them, they require financial support and a show of confidence from the centre.
It should be a mutual partnership, one that operates to put Britain first, to dissuade students from heading overseas. The beneficiary here will be the economy. It will be to our national benefit if they are encouraged to stay, to complete their education, and with that, start their careers in the UK.
There may be woe and doubtless tears in some quarters, but by slamming shut one door, Trump has opened another.