According to a recent survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the most common playground put-down, used by children from nursery school and upwards, is calling someone 'Gay', followed by 'Bitch' and 'Slag'. Not far behind are other gems such as 'Poof', 'Batty Boy', 'Lezzie', 'Homo' and 'Faggot'.

Although the meanings of a word like 'Gay' has changed over recent years - more a term to describe something as 'rubbish' or 'lame' - language like this should not be tolerated, whether it be in the playground, within the home, or on the street.

But what this survey has not properly addressed, is how these terms and language is being perpetuated by us, the adults. How often have you heard a colleague at work, or a friend down the pub calling someone's new coat or trainers a bit 'gay' - we've all done it. Even the gays themselves are using it as a derogatory term. It's funny, right? Well, not really.

The problem with our culture is that language such as this quickly becomes accepted and reborn into our vernacular with altered meanings, and it is then when it becomes dangerous.

So people - think before you speak, otherwise you'll be calling your Gran a 'Cunt' whilst fixing her a brew before you know it.