Jeez, I thought only liberal arts undergrads in the 1990s quibbled about this stuff (Hotline Blog via Drudge):

Among the things attendees at this morning’s National Journal /NBC post-SOTU breakfast learned was that it is no longer politically correct in the House Dem caucus to refer to the newly elected members from ’06 as “Freshmen.” How did we learn this? House Maj. Whip Jim Clyburn referred to the “freshmen” and then corrected himself and then went on to admit the new policy. Freshman, er newly elected Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) told the crowd that he “suspected” it had something to do with the word “new” being more appealing to the public than “freshman,” which can be seen by some as derogatory.

Democrat leaders have mastered the science of self-parody.