Radio personality Don Imus talks on air during his return to radio in New York. Photo / Reuters

LOS ANGELES - "Nappy-headed hos," the phrase that cost US radio shock jock Don Imus his job and triggered a debate on how far free speech can go, was named today as the most egregious politically incorrect turn of phrase in 2007.

"Ho-Ho-Ho" made the list after a staffing company in Sydney, Australia suggested to prospective Santas they drop their traditional greeting in favour of "Ha-Ha-Ha" so as not to invoke images of the derogatory US slang term for women.

"Fire-breathing Dragon" - Children's book author Lindsey Gardiner was asked to eliminate a fire-breathing dragon from her new book because publishers feared they could be sued under health and safety regulations.

"Gypsy skirt" - The colourful layered skirt was given a new name, "Traveller Skirt," since police in Cornwall, a county in southwest England, believed the term "Gypsy Skirt" might be considered offensive to Gypsies.