Was in a debugging scenario related to hierarchical nodes of data we identified as 'parents' and 'children'. Something was happening in a business process that left behind 'children' without 'parents'. I called them 'orphans'.

Out of left field: a teammate who was adopted raised such a stink about inclusiveness in our naming conventions that the whole project suffered. I'm shaking my head even recalling this.

I no longer use anthropomorphism in unfamiliar company.