Is the word ‘master’ about to become socially unacceptable?

[sst1234]

Just heard a debate on tv about whether the word ‘master’ conjures up images of slavery and if it is appropriate as in ‘masterchef’ and ‘master bedroom’. What? Really? I am speechless. Anyone taking offence to this is not just barking mad but is politically correct to the detriment of real issues in the world that need attention.

But ‘masterchef’ is surely the context of being a master of a craft. Like Masterpiece. The thing you make that proves you are on top of your game. It’s a different meaning.

@memememoi

There is context in this.

Master bedroom as in the Slave Master's Bedroom... if you don't know how disgusting and loaded this is then I suggest you do some reading because judging from a lot of the replies, a lot of you do not have the range.

A lot of terms we use are deep rooted in racism. Just because they're "normal" long standing terms, and the trauma of being on the receiving end doesn't apply to you, it doesn't make it "political correctness gone mad".

Some of the responses in this thread are just 🥴🥴

What’s your point? How does the frothing moral outrage at something like this stop slavery happening in the world today. Or does it just feel enlightened to to be offended at everything.

So some people would like the word to not be used because it has connotations of slavery and those people are snowflakes, competing to be most woke or be offended just for the sake of it or virtue signal?

But people such as yourself protesting a trivial change to language when language changes all the time anyway, where it will have next to zero effect on your life, you are not snowflakes looking to be outraged or offended just for the sake of it.

Do you think to question why you choose to lend your energies to objecting to small changes for you that might make a difference to people who are on the sharp end of racist language, rather than using your energy to make the effort to be anti racist?

Changes to the language like this (also sexist) should be in addition to larger changes, not instead of, but that's not a reason not to do them.

I’m sure if someone was very ignorant that could be what comes to mind but the historical and contemporary use of that word is so carried that most people wouldn’t make that association immediately.

@RHTawneyonabus
"But ‘masterchef’ is surely the context of being a master of a craft. Like Masterpiece"

It came from the days when women couldn't go to the top in their professions and in a lot of cases couldn't even get a job within industries.

It doesn't describe the women being at the top of their game. It's the same concept of getting rid of other job titles that didn't include women.

@memememoi

There is context in this.

Master bedroom as in the Slave Master's Bedroom... if you don't know how disgusting and loaded this is then I suggest you do some reading because judging from a lot of the replies, a lot of you do not have the range.

A lot of terms we use are deep rooted in racism. Just because they're "normal" long standing terms, and the trauma of being on the receiving end doesn't apply to you, it doesn't make it "political correctness gone mad".

Some of the responses in this thread are just 🥴🥴

But that's not where that term originated.

It came from the room where the head of the household - the master - slept. Nothing to do with slavery.

In building/ engineering etc there are the male/female parts - these should obviously be changed out of respect for non-binary and trans people.

What utter woke bollocks.

What will it be next I wonder - banning cane sugar?

If only slavery itself, which is still ongoing the world over, was paid so much attention as this absolute nonsense is.

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/master%20bedroom

I personally believe this what was Malcolm X was talking about, getting bogged down in small details rather than addressing the wider issues

sidestepping the real issues.

This is the issue I have. Fine Canon has changed the language & Foxtons can say main bedroom. Is it a tick box exercise though or will these companies look at their % of BAME workforce and examine parity?

Ok, so is anyone worried about how mistress or madame so often suggests sex/ dominatrix practice when linked to a bedroom? Are we woke enough for that one yet?

Master Craftsman - just means one step up from Journeyman Craftsman, which is up step up from Apprentice.

This is the context in which MasterChef is used.

@Ponoka7 but words like the r word etc are no longer used because they’re slurs (although there are plenty of slurs that we still use). Master isn’t a slur, never has been, so it’s not really comparable.

Fuck. I suppose I'll have to start telling people I live in Personchester. Or CarbonBasedLifeformchester. What if someone finds 'chest' offensive?! The horror.

It's just ridiculous echo-chamber "debate" from the permanently offended. Nonsensical virtue-signalling that has no place in real life, and detracts from the real issues. Slavery is still going on, and policing language like that is mad!

Couldn't agree more.

@memememoi

There is context in this.

Master bedroom as in the Slave Master's Bedroom... if you don't know how disgusting and loaded this is then I suggest you do some reading because judging from a lot of the replies, a lot of you do not have the range.

A lot of terms we use are deep rooted in racism. Just because they're "normal" long standing terms, and the trauma of being on the receiving end doesn't apply to you, it doesn't make it "political correctness gone mad".

Some of the responses in this thread are just 🥴🥴

@memememoi

Do you have a reference for this etymology, please? All the research I have done points it it first being used in the mid 1920s, well after the abolition of slavery, and I can find no evidence that it is derived from “Slave Master’s Bedroom”.

Mistress reminds me of a bit on the side or a dominitrix. Never thought of it as master and slave outside of bdsm.

If only slavery itself, which is still ongoing the world over, was paid so much attention as this absolute nonsense is.

Another great post!

The word mistress - a husband has a mistress. A wife does not have a master. It is still about sex and a power relationship.

Great how people are retro fitting the etymology of words to fit their agenda.

Please!

Master bedroom is sexist in ideology, not racist.

It's a 1920 sales pitch, aimed at the man of the house.

Get a grip!

@iklboo

Great how people are retro fitting the etymology of words to fit their agenda.

Yup. The majority of our modern uses of “master” predate and have no connection to the use of the word in relation to slavery.

www.etymonline.com/word/master