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.

@contrmary the world has gone slightly mad. Glad I'm not back in the office until next year, I'm less likely to offend people working from home (although I'm sure I will, just on a slightly less regular basis) 🙈

To me it seems like a hangover from more sexist and racist times. I wince a bit every time I hear the description 'master bedroom', and agree that men use it to make themselves feel superior.

It's easy to use alternatives. What's wrong with 'main bedroom'? That's what most of us use in real life.

Master/slave was used very widely as a technical term, and has quite a precise meaning to engineers. They probably never realised the real world connotations as they only ever used it in a technical sense. It's not difficult to come up with alternative terms and engineers already have.

Language is rich enough that we can extend it and leave hurtful expressions behind us when they are pointed out.

It might take a bit longer for Universities to catch up with the real world. No doubt it is difficult to change from Bachelors and Masters, but maybe they are hoping that the words will lose their other meanings and be left solely as quaint names for educational awards.

It might take a bit longer for Universities to catch up with the real world. No doubt it is difficult to change from Bachelors and Masters, but maybe they are hoping that the words will lose their other meanings and be left solely as quaint names for educational awards.

While 'bachelors' is an odd archaic designation, in the 'real world' few people have a problem with Masters denoting mastery of a subject.

It won’t be changed if seen to offend women - that’s the bottom line.