The European Union has moved to suppress everyday phrases such as 'manpower' and 'mankind' and replace them with gender-neutral terms.

Staff in Strasbourg have been told to reduce references to 'women or men' in a new rule book called Gender Neutral Language In The European Parliament.

The new guidelines are aimed at EU translators tasked with converting documents between the different languages spoken and written by the 28 member states.

The online document suggests words such as 'chairman' be replaced by 'chairperson', and 'policeman' or 'policewoman' by substituted for 'police officer'.

Staff in Brussels have been told to reduce references to 'women or men' in a new rule book called Gender Neutral Language In The European Parliament (pictured)

The new guidelines (shown) are aimed at EU translators tasked with converting documents between the different languages spoken and written by the 28 member states

It also recommends the word 'stewardess' by avoided in preference of 'flight attendant', and 'principal' by used instead of 'headmaster' or 'headmistress'.

'Humanity' should replace 'mankind' and 'man-made' should be substituted for 'synthentic' or 'artificial', it adds.

The book goes as far as to suggest the avoidance of gender-specific pronouns such as 'he' or 'she', adding that a 'complete rephrasing may sometimes be necessary'.

It states: 'Gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language is more than a matter of political correctness.

Outlawed words and their EU alternatives Mankind Man-made Stewardess Headmaster Fireman Layman Chairman Spokesman Humanity Artificial Flight attendant Principal Firefighter Layperson Chairperson spokesperson Advertisement

Language powerfully reflects and influences attitudes, behaviour and perceptions.

'In order to treat all genders equally, efforts have been employed since the 1980s to propose a gender-neutral/gender-fair/non-sexist use of language, so that no gender is privileged, and prejudices against any gender are not perpetuated.'

'The use in many languages of the word 'man' in a wide range of idiomatic expressions which refer to both men and women, such as manpower, layman, man-made, statesmen, committee of wise men, should be discouraged.

'With increased awareness, such expressions can usually be made gender-neutral.'

The secretive text has finally been revealed after Conservative MEP Rupert Matthews tabled a parliamentary question.

He told the Daily Express: 'The Eurocrats have imposed their own version of politically correct language on to the approved English.

This secretive guidance that I have managed to unearth shows the nonsense that the EU translators have to deal with when trying to make different languages intelligible.'

The document can be viewed here.