Damn!
I hate offering an opinion on these topics, especially when it seems I am debating with someone on here that I have a lot of time for (that's you!)
But I think when the phrase 'PC gone mad' is used its generally when something 'indirectly twice removed' gets taken out of context and people get offended
3 Examples:
1)
"Woman are rubbish at everything and should stay out of football" - that's clearly insulting to woman, don't get me wrong, people do say that and it's unacceptable. That's NOT 'PC gone mad', that's insulting.
2)
"Oh, looks like a bit of handbags there from the players" - not directly insulting woman but some can find it offensive, possibly 'PC gone mad'. The person saying saying doesn't want to insult woman but will be accused of doing so.
3)
"I'm surprised she was able to make that save" , this can be taken as an insult to woman, or a compliment to the goalkeeper. People may add "would you say that about a male goalkeeper" and the argument goes on. This may be 'PC gone mad".
I don't think the people who say "PC gone mad" want to insult people, they just don't want to accused of doing so.
Sure we are still mates though yeah?