PETA Presses Cambridge Dictionary to Redefine ‘Rat’

PETA Presses Cambridge Dictionary to Redefine ‘Rat’

Cambridge – This morning, PETA sent a letter (available here) to the Cambridge Dictionary requesting the removal of its harmful entry for “rat” – which the dictionary inaccurately associates with deceit and disloyalty. PETA points out that the derogatory definition fuels false perceptions about rats and promotes speciesism, the human-held belief that all other animal species are inferior.

“Words matter and perpetuating negative stereotypes about rats makes it easier to justify cruelly trapping or killing these unique and intelligent beings,” says PETA Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen. “PETA encourages the Cambridge Dictionary to reject mischaracterisations of rats and update its definition to reflect upon their natural intelligence, communications skills, and empathy for others.”

Rats are highly social, sentient individuals who become attached to each other, love their own families, and easily bond with their human guardians – returning as much affection as is given to them. Yet despite their extraordinary talents and abilities, rats are frequently used in cruel and pointless experiments, where they are shocked, burned, near-drowned, and forced to ingest chemicals before being killed.

PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk or follow PETA on Facebook, X, TikTok, or Instagram.

Contact:

Jennifer White +44 (0) 20 7837 6327; [email protected]

#