Vegans are calling for everyday phrases that refer to meat to be replaced with less “offensive” ones.

“Bringing home the bacon”, “kill two birds with one stone” and “take the bull by the horns” are idioms we use without thinking, but some vegans find them offensive.

Dr Shareena Hamzah of Swansea University believes a shift is language is inevitable due to the increased awareness of animal cruelty.

Speaking to academic website The Conversation, she said it will be a long time until “meaty metaphors” are abandoned but it’s down the line.

Dr Hamzah gave examples of animal-friendly alternatives, including changing “flog a dead horse” with “feed a fed horse”, replacing “all your eggs in one basket” to “all your berries in one bowl” and changing “killing two birds with one stone” with “feeding two birds with one scone”.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are also backing the movement.