Today I heard the term "waitperson" used for someone who waits tables. I'm getting used to some of the Political Correct gender neutral terms, but this one sounded odd to me.

If we nix waiter and waitress, shouldn't we nix actor and actress too? But then what? Actperson??

I'm curious; Does Strunk or anyone have any guidelines or "rules" on just how far this gender neutral language can or should go based on the structure of the original word?

NeedKarma

Actually the term 'actor' is indeed used for both genders.

RickJ

haha that's the point. Why actor for all but not waiter for all? Is "waitperson" just overboard since it does not have the term "man" in it?

labman

I really get tired of all this. In dog questions I habitually use male pronouns in referring to vets although I know many, maybe even the majority now, are female.

firmbeliever

The politically correct english just makes me more confused and I try not to be political

RickJ

Yes, yes! I'd like to be a-political, but if I ignore gender neutral terms I get the evil eye from the left, and if I use the PC terms I get the evil eye from the right.

Sheesh, there's no winning this one I think

Curlyben

More PC BS.
I see nothing wrong with being called a Waiter as gender neutral.
Admittedly I do find managerESS to be too PC the other way.

There are certain terms that are genuinely gender neutral; Actor, Waiter, Manager, and any other where ESS is added to the end to imply femininity.