British museums stop using the word 'mummy'

The British Museum and the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh have stopped using the word 'mummy' to describe the remains of ancient Egyptians, claiming it is a disrespectful and offensive term.

These institutions claim that its use is degrading and brings the UK back to its colonial past. The etymology of the word comes from Arabic, in which it means "bitumen", an embalming agent, they explain, adding that it was during the time of the empire that many mummies arrived in the country due to the active opening of graves.

Museums are also concerned that countless horror films have made the word associated with "supernatural monsters".

“When we know a person's name, we use it; otherwise, we use "man, woman, boy, girl or mummified person" because we are referring to people, not objects," a spokeswoman for the National Museum of Scotland said.

"The word 'mummy' is not a misnomer, but it dehumanizes , while the use of the term 'mummified person' encourages our visitors to think of that person," he added.

A spokesman for the British Museum said: "The specimens and exhibits have shown that the mummified remains belong to people who were once alive."

However, some called the decision odd, joking that "the mummy's curse is driving these scientists crazy."

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