Mistress, Actress, Heroine

Posted on | June 8, 2010 | 44 Comments

by Smitty (via Insty)

Amidst an excellent review of Nikki Haley’s campaign to govern South Carolina, Walter Shapiro says, emphasis mine:

Haley, in her first statewide campaign, has proven a master of boomerang politics – making every attack seem like a vindication of her conservative populist outrage.

Shouldn’t that be “a mistress”?

I don’t mean to go all Little Miss Attila on the point, but should conservatives worry about conserving gender in the English language? I see a page like Female Actor Search and wonder: is this an epic fail, or an admission that the language, like the Constitution and history, are poorly taught these days?

But that’s just a tangent. The poll is open, and it’s time to go participate in the primary. Go, USA!

Category: Culture, South Carolina

Comments

44 Responses to “Mistress, Actress, Heroine”

Walter Shapiro
June 8th, 2010 @ 11:16 am

I wrote the article in question and you make an interesting linguistic argument. But there is some dictionary-based justification to argue that “master” in terms of showing mastery has long been a gender-neutral noun. Take this definition, for example, from Merriam-Webster Unabridged that I subscribe to online: “: a person having mastery of or control over something abstract or immaterial <master of his own time."

By the way, I am flattered that you liked the commentary on the fascinating South Carolina race.
Walter Shapiro
June 8th, 2010 @ 7:16 am

I wrote the article in question and you make an interesting linguistic argument. But there is some dictionary-based justification to argue that “master” in terms of showing mastery has long been a gender-neutral noun. Take this definition, for example, from Merriam-Webster Unabridged that I subscribe to online: “: a person having mastery of or control over something abstract or immaterial <master of his own time."

By the way, I am flattered that you liked the commentary on the fascinating South Carolina race.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 11:30 am

Wonder no more: you’re absolutely correct, sir.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 7:30 am

Wonder no more: you’re absolutely correct, sir.
DavidL
June 8th, 2010 @ 11:51 am

Funny, how we insert gender where is does not exist in human populations. people are either male or female. Yet we ignore gender where is does exist, as property of nouns, masculine or feminine.
DavidL
June 8th, 2010 @ 7:51 am

Funny, how we insert gender where is does not exist in human populations. people are either male or female. Yet we ignore gender where is does exist, as property of nouns, masculine or feminine.
Red
June 8th, 2010 @ 12:08 pm

With all the commotion regarding an alleged affair, the person who made that statement was probably trying to exercise some sensitivity regarding current dilemmas even though he was grammatically incorrect.
Red
June 8th, 2010 @ 8:08 am

With all the commotion regarding an alleged affair, the person who made that statement was probably trying to exercise some sensitivity regarding current dilemmas even though he was grammatically incorrect.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 12:29 pm

Red’s got a good point.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 8:29 am

Red’s got a good point.
goddessoftheclassroom
June 8th, 2010 @ 12:48 pm

Ok, this is REALLY pedantic, but I would argue that in this context, “master” is correct.

A person, male or female, “masters” a craft, art, technique, etc., and therefore becomes a “master” at it or of it.

Female graduates do not become a “Mistress” of arts or sciences. We speak of someone as a “past master” at something, whether the person is a man or a woman, not a “past mistress.”

A mistress is a female in charge of something, such as a pet, household, or, er…whatever.
goddessoftheclassroom
June 8th, 2010 @ 8:48 am

Ok, this is REALLY pedantic, but I would argue that in this context, “master” is correct.

A person, male or female, “masters” a craft, art, technique, etc., and therefore becomes a “master” at it or of it.

Female graduates do not become a “Mistress” of arts or sciences. We speak of someone as a “past master” at something, whether the person is a man or a woman, not a “past mistress.”

A mistress is a female in charge of something, such as a pet, household, or, er…whatever.
JeffS
June 8th, 2010 @ 1:42 pm

I’ll agree with Red as well, because a lot of people think of “mistress” as “what’s between a master and a mattress”, rather than the gender specific definition for “a woman in a position of authority”.

They’re wrong, of course. Or just have a dirty mind. But then, even some dictionarieshave a dirty mind.
JeffS
June 8th, 2010 @ 9:42 am

I’ll agree with Red as well, because a lot of people think of “mistress” as “what’s between a master and a mattress”, rather than the gender specific definition for “a woman in a position of authority”.

They’re wrong, of course. Or just have a dirty mind. But then, even some dictionarieshave a dirty mind.
Ran / Si Vis Pacem
June 8th, 2010 @ 1:45 pm

“Female Actors” would be men who play women’s roles.

“Actresses” are women who play women’s roles.

“Female Actress” would be, say, Rosie O’Donnell – someone who both lacks the X chromosome and is offered women’s roles.
Ran / Si Vis Pacem
June 8th, 2010 @ 9:45 am

“Female Actors” would be men who play women’s roles.

“Actresses” are women who play women’s roles.

“Female Actress” would be, say, Rosie O’Donnell – someone who both lacks the X chromosome and is offered women’s roles.
Red
June 8th, 2010 @ 1:48 pm

Thanks Bob ;-D
Red
June 8th, 2010 @ 9:48 am

Thanks Bob ;-D
Red
June 8th, 2010 @ 1:51 pm

Thanks Jeff 😀 Yeah, you don’t hear mistress being used in a grammatically correct way too often probably because of the illicit word association”…because a lot of people think of “mistress” as “what’s between a master and a mattress”. That’s the 21st century for ya!
Red
June 8th, 2010 @ 9:51 am

Thanks Jeff 😀 Yeah, you don’t hear mistress being used in a grammatically correct way too often probably because of the illicit word association”…because a lot of people think of “mistress” as “what’s between a master and a mattress”. That’s the 21st century for ya!
Roxeanne de Luca
June 8th, 2010 @ 2:21 pm

Red beat me to it.

“Mistress”, like “Madam”, acquired overtones of sexual impropriety somewhere along the way and is often not used for respectable women anymore, lest anyone get the wrong idea.

because a lot of people think of “mistress” as “what’s between a master and a mattress”. That’s the 21st century for ya!

What about women who like being on top?
Roxeanne de Luca
June 8th, 2010 @ 10:21 am

Red beat me to it.

“Mistress”, like “Madam”, acquired overtones of sexual impropriety somewhere along the way and is often not used for respectable women anymore, lest anyone get the wrong idea.

because a lot of people think of “mistress” as “what’s between a master and a mattress”. That’s the 21st century for ya!

What about women who like being on top?
Joe
June 8th, 2010 @ 2:33 pm

I am a trogolyte who still calls those women who walk up and down the isles on airlines, stewardesses, and those women who work in stage and film, actresses. But wasn’t Margaret Thatcher more of a master than mistress? Yet Lady Thatcher works fine. Go figure.

Here are some on the British left day dreaming about Lady Thatcher.
Joe
June 8th, 2010 @ 10:33 am

I am a trogolyte who still calls those women who walk up and down the isles on airlines, stewardesses, and those women who work in stage and film, actresses. But wasn’t Margaret Thatcher more of a master than mistress? Yet Lady Thatcher works fine. Go figure.

Here are some on the British left day dreaming about Lady Thatcher.
richard mcenroe
June 8th, 2010 @ 3:39 pm

I really make a point of trying to preserve gender differnces in our language.

We make a loud showy point of proclaaiming the need to embrace diversity in our culture… and then we make it harder to describe it. Seems hypocritical to me.
richard mcenroe
June 8th, 2010 @ 11:39 am

I really make a point of trying to preserve gender differnces in our language.

We make a loud showy point of proclaaiming the need to embrace diversity in our culture… and then we make it harder to describe it. Seems hypocritical to me.
richard mcenroe
June 8th, 2010 @ 3:40 pm

Sorry, Red, but “Elvira, Master of the Dark” just doesn’t work.
richard mcenroe
June 8th, 2010 @ 11:40 am

Sorry, Red, but “Elvira, Master of the Dark” just doesn’t work.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 3:41 pm

What about women who like being on top?

If I were not very, very happily married I’d reply: call them whatever they want to be called, but have them call me.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 11:41 am

What about women who like being on top?

If I were not very, very happily married I’d reply: call them whatever they want to be called, but have them call me.
Cold Fury » Nimrata versus the Nimrods
June 8th, 2010 @ 11:56 am

[…] What stirred up this nest of home-spun hornutz? […]
Will Folks
June 8th, 2010 @ 6:28 pm

My plan is not working out so well.

Oh I had an inappropriate physical relationship with Helen Thomas.
Will Folks
June 8th, 2010 @ 2:28 pm

My plan is not working out so well.

Oh I had an inappropriate physical relationship with Helen Thomas.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 6:49 pm

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of ‘mistress’: n. woman in authority or withpower.
Bob Belvedere
June 8th, 2010 @ 2:49 pm

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of ‘mistress’: n. woman in authority or withpower.
S.L. Toddard
June 8th, 2010 @ 7:28 pm

Mr. McCain, I understand you to be a Southern patriot. Why no comment on Jeffrey Lord’s Lincoln-worshiping boilerplate at AmSpec?

http://spectator.org/archives/2010/06/08/jack-levins-gettysburg

This New Englander is not alone in wishing to see the South more stoutly defended, especially at ostensibly conservative publications. Scalawags are slandering Dixie again.

Why are you silent?
S.L. Toddard
June 8th, 2010 @ 3:28 pm

Mr. McCain, I understand you to be a Southern patriot. Why no comment on Jeffrey Lord’s Lincoln-worshiping boilerplate at AmSpec?

http://spectator.org/archives/2010/06/08/jack-levins-gettysburg

This New Englander is not alone in wishing to see the South more stoutly defended, especially at ostensibly conservative publications. Scalawags are slandering Dixie again.

Why are you silent?
chercast
June 8th, 2010 @ 7:33 pm

A master of boomerang politics …..is a political degree…somewhere in between bachelor and doctor of boomerang. I recall the university I attended offered it.
chercast
June 8th, 2010 @ 3:33 pm

A master of boomerang politics …..is a political degree…somewhere in between bachelor and doctor of boomerang. I recall the university I attended offered it.
smitty
June 8th, 2010 @ 7:48 pm

@chercast,
So long as it wasn’t “Boomerang Studies” you’re probably OK.
smitty
June 8th, 2010 @ 3:48 pm

@chercast,
So long as it wasn’t “Boomerang Studies” you’re probably OK.
richard mcenroe
June 9th, 2010 @ 12:08 am

Ever had “Boomerang chili?’ It WILL come back on you…
richard mcenroe
June 8th, 2010 @ 8:08 pm

Ever had “Boomerang chili?’ It WILL come back on you…
Virginia Right! News Hound for 6/9/2010 | Virginia Right!
June 9th, 2010 @ 6:43 am

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