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    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #1

    Aug 23, 2007, 10:16 AM
    Decent English vs. Political Correctness
    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's Avatar
    NeedKarma Posts: 10,635, Reputation: 1706
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    #2

    Aug 23, 2007, 10:41 AM
    Actually the term 'actor' is indeed used for both genders.
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #3

    Aug 23, 2007, 10:45 AM
    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's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
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    #4

    Aug 23, 2007, 11:12 AM
    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's Avatar
    firmbeliever Posts: 2,919, Reputation: 463
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    #5

    Aug 23, 2007, 11:35 AM
    The politically correct english just makes me more confused and I try not to be political ;)
    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #6

    Aug 23, 2007, 02:06 PM
    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's Avatar
    Curlyben Posts: 18,514, Reputation: 1860
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    #7

    Aug 23, 2007, 02:13 PM
    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.
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