My first set of minutes were heavily criticised by an elderly gentleman [who was brought onto that committee by another member who did not want me there] for, amongst other things, not including the titles of the “ladies” present complaining that he could not therefore address them correctly in correspondence. I asked him if he was married [I knew he was a bachelor] to which he replied it was none of my business. I then pointed out that the marital status of the “ladies” present was none of my business either, or his. Over the remainder of the year, those two caused so much trouble that they were voted off the committee at the next AGM.
Nevertheless, I do miss the language I was brought up with.
Miss, Mrs, Waitress, Headmistress, Barmaid, Manhole, Chairman, Workman, Peterman, Manageress, WPC, Draughtsman, Dustman, Actress, Spokesman, Linesman ………..to identify but a few.
Words under threat: Queen, Princess. Female [Feperson?], Woman [Woperson?].
It’s all his fault, see graphic. Respect and treating everyone
"This is what a feminist looks like" OMG I knew there was a reason I can't stand feminists.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I want to be treated "equally". I'd like to be treated fairly, which is not necessarily the same as equally. The way I see it, us women and men are different, and we need to understand and respect these differences, not just swwep them under the carpet and go along with some rigid definition of equality that tries to force us into the same, presumably "metrosexual" mould, which will not fit anyone and just make us all miserable sexless types.
I agree. I have amended the post.
ReplyDeleteBesides which, everyone being the same would take all the fun out of being transvestite or transexual!
ReplyDeleteWhat would be the point then?
I never did like those Unisex fashions back in the 60s due to the potential for embarrassing mistakes.
ReplyDeleteThere's a(t least one) joke about that, but I'm not sure it's suitable for this blog ...
ReplyDeleteHad to look up what a peterman is. Not sure they'll be changing that one anytime soon.
Must say, I was shocked to discover on that usually perfect arbiter of Political Correctness, Radio 4, that the chauvinistic term "Snowman" is still in official use. Something Must be Done! What About The Children!
You’ve obviously not seen the remake of “The Italian Job”. Neither have I, but by coincidence I did see enough of it last Saturday evening to know that it features a babe Peterman.
ReplyDeleteI am equally shocked at R4. Tut tut. We must write in and complain. Carol and Jeremy are not the only one’s at fault it seems. What’s good for the goose…..
And is she called a peterbabe or a peterperson? I think not.
ReplyDeleteOne I like was "manager" which, so 'tis said, narrowly avoided becoming "personager" when enthusiasts thought (in error) that the first three letters carried a masculine connotation.
Cromwell's cackling shade!
I don't know if you've noticed but "Peter" is a boy's name. How are we going to get round that one? Penelopebabe?
ReplyDeleteDoes not “woman” or indeed “female” carry masculine connotations?
Come to that does not “man” or “male” carry female connotations by the absence of the “wo” or “fe”.
Sometimes what is missing is more significant than what is present.
True. Often.
ReplyDeleteBut how could you forget wemoon, womyn, wimmin ...
I've just thought of another one. Huperson or Huperson Being.
ReplyDelete