D

It depends. Are you talking about a general dad, or a specific person called Dad? For example, ‘please could you ask your dad if he’ll help at Cubs next week?’ ‘Sure, ‘I’ll ask Dad if he’s available.’

This is when sometimes tries to use a participle (a word formed from a verb) but puts it in the wrong place so it doesn’t refer to the person, place, thing, or idea they want it to.

For example, a sentence like: ‘Boring, predictable and no fun, our leader decided to replace the old games with new ones’ means that the leader in question is boring, predictable and no fun (not that the games are). ‘Hiking the trail, the birds sang loudly’ means the birds are hiking the trail – what someone probably means to say is ‘Hiking the trail, the Cubs heard birds singing loudly’.

If in doubt, put the phrase with the participle after the subject of the sentence (the person, place, thing, or idea that’s doing or being something).

For example, if you switch up ‘rushing to finish the paper, Bob’s printer broke’ so it becomes ‘Bob’s printer, rushing to finish the paper, broke’, it doesn’t sound right.

Dangling participles usually crop up when people imply the subject, taking for granted the reader will know what you mean (in our example, the writer implies that Bob is rushing). Adding a proper subject fixes it – for example, ‘as Bob rushed to finish the paper, his printer broke’.

Always use en dashes (–) rather than em dashes (—) or hyphens (-) and leave a space either side of the en dash too.

A single dash can add a bit of flair, but don’t use them too often or they’ll lose their effect. A pair of dashes can act like commas or brackets (or parenthesis, if fancy grammar terms are your thing). Check whether dashes are right for your sentence; sometimes commas, brackets, or semi-colons would be better. A pair of en dashes draws a lot of attention to the text in them and can feel quite informal, so it depends on what you’re trying to say.

Data takes a singular verb (for example, ‘the data is’) even though it’s technically a plural. 

Our style is day month year with no commas and no ‘nd’ or ‘th’. For example, 15 August 2000, 17 October 2003, 25 May 2005.

If you’re talking about a decade, there’s no apostrophe (for example, the 1990s).

We don’t use the 24-hour clock because it’s confusing; stick to 11am, 2.30pm, 12 noon, 12 midnight, and so on. 

If you want to talk about the fifth century or the 21st century, there’s no hyphen. If you’re talking about 20th-century ideas, or sixth-century remains, add a hyphen please.

We use BC and AD, not BCE and CE. There’s no need for full stops in between the letters, but watch where the abbreviations go: 100BC and AD1066.

We write like we speak. We don’t talk using dashes, so always try to avoid them in text. For example, ‘Peter Duncan was Chief Scout from 2004 to 2009’ or ‘this short-term role lasts from January to June’.

Sometime headlines, posters, or text advertising events needs to use punctuation – in these cases, it’s an en dash with no spaces (for example, 17–19 July).

If a time period goes across two years (for example, the academic year or the financial year), use a forward slash with no spaces: ‘the 2009/10 winter was especially cold’.

There are no hyphens here, but it’s best to say something lasted ‘24 hours’ or ‘a day’ instead. For the record, month-long and year-long are both hyphenated.

Don’t forget the ‘k’ at the end.

In England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, checking someone’s criminal record is done by getting a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

Disclosure checks is an OK term if you want to include the checks that are done in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

See criminal record check, as this is the phrase we use in Scouts.

Deaf is commonly used to describe people with hearing impairments. However, it’s always best to ask individual people how they identify. Different people may describe themselves as Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, hearing-impaired, or as having a hearing impairment. Always respect individuals’ choices. Be aware too, that many people who identify as Deaf don’t view their Deafness as a disability.

If you’re not sure, saying ‘a Scout who’s deaf’ is usually OK. The National Deaf Children’s Society uses ‘deaf’ to mean all types of deafness, including temporary deafness such as glue ear. You could also say ‘a Scout who has a hearing impairment’.

Never use ‘the deaf’ as a catch-all term.

To say something ‘falls on deaf ears’ is offensive.

When a volunteer starts a new role, we ask them to complete declarations to confirm they’ll follow our:

1. Values, culture and rules
2. Data Protection Policy 
3. Communications preferences 
4. Trustee declaration (if they’re a Trustee)

This was previously on the Adult Information Form. Now, a volunteer needs to complete declarations on scouts.org.uk each time they start a new role. It’s a key step to their role becoming full.

In a way that shows open resistance or bold disobedience. Not to be confused with definitely.

Certainly or without doubt, or in a definite manner. Note that it has the word ‘definite’ in it. Not to be confused with defiantly.

See Celsius. 

People ‘have’ or ‘live with’ dementia, they don’t suffer from it and they’re not victims of it. Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain – two of the most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Respect individual’s choices about whether they identify as having, for example, Alzheimer’s disease, rather than dementia.

British government ministries are capitalised (lucky them). Ministers aren’t.

Need some examples? Cabinet Office (but ‘the cabinet’), Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Northern Ireland Office, Scotland Office (not Scottish Office), Wales Office (not Welsh Office). 

Use the abbreviations sparingly, especially the clumsy ones. They should make something easier to read, not more of a challenge! Once you’ve named it in full it’s OK to say ‘the department’ or ‘the business department’.

Sometimes this list changes faster than we can keep up with (sadly, we’re not allowed to spend all of our time on this guide). If we’ve dropped the ball and something should’ve changed, let us know.

A dependant is a noun, dependent is an adjective. Someone’s dependant is dependent on them.

As part of the new volunteer experience, this role title has changed. Please see Group Leadership Team Member.

These volunteers are responsible for several of the UKHQ volunteer teams. They deputise for and support the UK Chief Volunteer.

See Lead Volunteer and UK Chief Volunteer for more.

It’s very old-fashioned and isn’t plain English, so you’d have to have some pretty impressive circumstances to justify using it. If you do, it’s not ‘daring-do’. 

It’s the Sahara desert, but puddings are desserts. If you’re struggling, remember that the desert is just sand, but desserts could be sundaes or sponge cakes.

Someone gets their ’just deserts’ when they get a punishment or reward that’s just what they deserve, though, and if you desert something or someone you leave without coming back.

They’re never third world countries.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition where people’s blood glucose level is too high. People ’live with’ or ‘have’ diabetes – they don’t suffer from it and they’re not victims of it.

In people without diabetes, the pancreas senses when glucose has entered the bloodstream and releases the right amount of insulin (a hormone) so the glucose can get into cells. If people have diabetes, this system doesn’t work.

There are two main types: type one and type two. With type one diabetes, the pancreas can’t make insulin at all, with type two, either the pancreas can’t make enough insulin, or the insulin it makes doesn’t work effectively.

There can be complications if high glucose levels aren’t treated, but with the right treatment and care, people living with diabetes can live a healthy life.

In the past, ‘dice’ has only been used for multiple cubes that have a different number of spots on each side. Now, ‘dice’ can mean one or more – we don’t really use ‘die’ any more.

One word, for example a ‘he was a diehard supporter of Scouts’. The film series is Die Hard, though.

Choose something such as ‘school meals supervisors’, ‘school dinner assistants’, or ‘midday supervisors’ instead.

A Zulu Chief whose ceremonial necklace contained beads used in Baden-Powell's first Wood Badge.

Always respect the way individuals refer to themselves; ask them what language they’d prefer you to use whenever you can.

Generally, we say ‘disabled people’ rather than ‘people with disabilities’. In other situations, use person-first language (for example, ‘a person with anorexia’ not ‘an anorexic person’). Talking about autism, people who use wheelchairs, and deafness can be a little more complicated – check out their individual entries.

People are never ‘invalids’, ‘handicapped’, ‘slow’, or ‘retarded’. Don’t use the term ‘mental age’. Never use collective terms such as ‘the disabled’ or ‘the deaf’, no matter the context.

If you need a collective term for people with a variety of conditions and needs, use ‘additional needs’, not special needs. Use person-centred language again here – Scouts is open to all, including people with additional needs. Some Scouts have additional needs. They are never ‘additional needs Scouts’.

Use positive language to describe disability. People ‘live with’ or ‘have’ conditions or impairments, they don’t ‘suffer from’ them, they’re not ‘afflicted by’ and they are never, ever, ‘crippled by’ or ‘a victim of’.

It’s better to say ‘non-disabled’ rather than ‘abled’. Avoid ‘able-bodied’ too, try something like ‘people who aren’t physically disabled’. Use ‘typical’ rather than ‘normal’ if you have to, but see if you can avoid it altogether first.

‘Disabled’ isn’t the best way to describe toilets or viewing platforms. Try ‘accessible’ instead.

Always respect the way individuals refer to themselves; ask them what language they’d prefer you to use whenever you can.

Generally, we say ‘disabled people’ rather than ‘people with disabilities’.

We talk about ‘disabled people’ because they don’t ‘have a disability’: they’re not disabled by any condition or impairment they might have, they’re disabled by environments which aren’t accessible.

For example, a hearing impairment wouldn’t be disabling (it wouldn’t have an adverse effect on someone’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities) if sign language and subtitles were widely used. Similarly, a wheelchair user might not be disabled if every building had ramps, lifts, fully accessible bathrooms, lowered door handles, and so on.

We used to call criminal record checks 'disclosures,' so you might still see this word hanging around. But, we'd prefer it if you used criminal record check instead.

This is where a new joiner with concerns about passing their criminal record check can talk about them with a current member.

This conversation can help them decide if Scouts is the right fit for them and happens in informal contexts.

There’s no previously published guidance, but we're working on new guidance to publish later in 2024.

A sensitive disclosure is how we facilitate a member of the Trans community sharing their gender identification documents while maintaining their privacy.

We're working on new guidance to publish later in 2024.

Discreet means being careful, especially to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment. You might make sure you’re discreet when checking in with a homesick Beaver, for example.

Discrete means individually separate and distinct – chips are discrete units of food (and they’re delicious too).

With an i, not an e.

Dispirin is a trademark. Use aspirin (unless you’re specifically talking about Dispirin… but you’re probably not).

See Areas, Counties, Regions, Districts.

As part of the new volunteer experience, this role title has changed. Please see District Lead Volunteer.

These volunteers lead and inspire other volunteers and manage the District Leadership Team. They’re the volunteers responsible for their District. See Lead Volunteer for more.

These volunteers support Section Teams to run safe, enjoyable and high-quality programmes by bringing volunteers together with activity experts.

Previous role name: Many volunteer roles have become part of District Programme Teams, including District Skills Instructors. In general, they’ll have a specific skills/permit, which’ll still be of value when planning and delivering District programme activities.

The District Executive Committee are responsible to this body. They come together for the AGM.

The District youth section for 18 to 25 year olds.

As part of the new volunteer experience, this role title has changed. This was the volunteer who was responsible for supporting Network in a District.

Their tasks are now carried out by the 14–24 Team, so see 14–24 Team for more.

These volunteers give tools and resources to help Scouts run smoothly. They might help to grow and promote Scouts, support effective processes, or look after equipment or property.

The District Support Team are responsible for creating and communicating a positive image of Scouts in the local community.

Previous role name: District Communications Manager is one of the roles that has become District Support Team Member.

All the volunteers in each of the District's teams make up the District Team.

These volunteers are part of the District Leadership Team. They make sure young people are represented at all levels of decision-making and are shaping their Scouts experience in partnership with adult volunteers.

See Trustee Board for more.

Previous role name: District Youth Commissioner

A festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world.

Each religion marks different historical events and stories, but generally speaking, it’s a festival of new beginnings, and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. For some, it’s at the same time as harvest or new year celebrations.

Diwali lasts for five days. The date changes every year; it’s usually sometime in October or November.

Preferable to ‘domestic violence’ as it better describes different forms of abuse (for example, emotional, psychological, and financial). It’s best to include a content warning, as well as signposting to helplines.

It’s only ever ‘doner’ if you’re talking about a doner kebab (made from meat cooked on a vertical spit). Otherwise, donor means a person who donates something (usually money, blood, or organs).

Don’t use an apostrophe in the ‘dos’.

If you’re talking about a specific award, call it Bronze, Silver, or Gold DofE. Often, you can just use the abbreviation (but watch out for your spellcheck trying to ‘help’ you correct it).

If you’re writing something a bit more formal, or you don’t think your audience will know about it, use the full name ‘the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’ the first time you mention it. Don’t forget the apostrophe, and never call it a ‘scheme’. If you’ve still got questions, chat to the Member Support Team.

Not donuts.

Don’t use this to refer to Australia or New Zealand.

A person ‘has’ Down’s syndrome, they don’t suffer from it and they’re not victims of it. Never say ‘a Down’s syndrome person’. Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome.

Everyone with Down’s syndrome has some degree of learning disability, and some health conditions are more common in people with Down’s syndrome, but everyone with Down’s syndrome is a unique individual so don’t make sweeping generalisations. Check out disability if you have more questions.

Means 12, not about 12. 

Use the first time you mention the Dr, whether you’re referring to or quoting them. After that, you can usually just use their name, depending on who they are.

Choose ‘dreamed’ over ‘dreamt’, although both are technically correct. Check out past participles for the lowdown.

Capitalise if you’re talking about a Squirrel Drey (the name for a Squirrel Scout section), otherwise it’s lower case (but think about if another word would work better instead).

Specifically the strong, sticky, cloth-backed waterproof stuff. Duck Tape is a brand, so call it duct tape please (unless you’re talking specifically about the brand).

The first time you mention a Duke, Duchess or member of the Royal Family, use their full title. 

Call ‘HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh' his full title on first mention - he can be 'The Duke of Edinburgh' after that.

Call ‘HRH Princess Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh' his full title on first mention - she can be 'The Duchess of Edinburgh' after that.

When referring to the late Prince Philip in historical context, we suggest calling him ‘The Late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’ and after that ‘The Late Prince Philip.’

Although ‘The Duke of Cambridge’ retains this title, you should refer to him as 'HRH The Prince of Wales' on first mention – ’The Prince of Wales’ or ’Prince William’ after that. 

Although ‘The Duchess of Cambridge’ retains this title, you should refer to her as 'HRH The Princess of Wales, Joint President of Scouts', on first mention – ’The Princess of Wales’ after that. Avoid using ‘Kate’ or her former surname, which is Middleton.

Call ‘HRH The Duke of Kent, Joint President of Scouts’ his full title – he can be ‘The Duke of Kent’ after that.

Call ‘The Duke of Sussex’ his full title or ‘Prince Harry’

Call ‘The Duchess of Sussex’ her full title.

It’s an outdated, offensive term. 

Dwarves is the plural of the noun ‘dwarf’, unless you’re using the Disney film title (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).

The verb ‘to dwarf’ becomes ‘dwarfs’, for example ‘that skyscraper dwarfs the surrounding buildings’.

Generally, it’s not the most sensitive term – try and find another way to put it.  

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty (some people call it a learning difference) that makes it difficult to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols. The British Dyslexia Association says it’s about information processing, which means it can affect a lot of areas of people’s lives. It doesn’t affect general intelligence. People don’t ‘suffer from’ dyslexia and they are not ‘a dyslexic’.

Dyspraxia is a Specific Learning Difficulty that affects physical coordination. People don’t ‘suffer from’ dyspraxia and they are not ‘a dyspraxic’.