Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

grunger - thanks for your kind words. It's not a rule, but politeness, that causes someone, when using a term already used by another during the competion, to withdraw that entry ... or, at least, offer to do so. Sometimes the first user says leave it in and let those judging decide. Thanks again.

cleverjo - your mention of S Africa and robots reminded me that that country seems to be the only country whose English speakers call traffic lights 'robots'. I discovered that particular meaning when someone, while giving me directions, told me to turn right at the robot. I asked what colour it is, expecting to be told it was silver (you'll appreciate I was mentally picturing a metallic robot shop sign). So when they said it was red, amber and green ...

Cloverjo


Like you, I dislike 'comedienne' - it's just awful. I don't know what female waiting staff feel about being called 'waiters', but I've never felt 'waitress' was as dire as, say, 'authoress'. In American restaurants, we were often greeted with ' Hello, I'm Mindy, I'll be your server tonight'. I think I prefer that … slightly.


Steve, the 'robots' for traffic lights was interesting and quite amusing.

Grunger
I'm glad you didn't mind my curiosity/pickiness about what you wrote. I think I knew what you meant - about the junk meals - but then re-read your comment.

Jigjag, I can't remember what I was going to say to you! I'll need to return to your post...

Jigjag

I loved the 'Carpenter/Caprentress' stuff!

Thank you very much for allowing me to question dubious English - or indeed anything else - in your posts. This is, of course, a two-way street - I don't mind any errors or omissions of mine being brought to my notice.

Cleverjo

Thanks. I like actresses and waitresses. It seems wrong when an actress refers to herself as an actor. I cant imagine any waitress would want to be called a waiter, or even a waitron which I agree sounds awful.

malone

Yes I heard a lot of "servers" recently which I think should only apply to tennis, or the computer thing, whatever it is. I had one "server" who said something like, "I am your server Sharon and I am going to wait on you tonight". I should have said, "so you are the waitress" but politeness prevented me. If I go again, I will refer to the female servers as servresses, which seems logical.

Steve
Thanks, I love the traffic light story.

I visited my doctrix who referred me to an orthopaedic surgeoness. At the hospital, the ward brother and all the other nursing staff were very kind and professional.

SW

I love it - clever. If you met a midhusband, hope he was good too

Ha ha!

I had a leaking tap this morning but the plumbress fixed it. The painter and decorator is coming tomorrow but he said he would send his assistant today to strip the wallpaper off the walls. A young woman has just arrived.

"Are you the stripper?", I asked, but she was horrified. "No, I am the strippress" she said.

Skyewalker - wonderful stuff, a great fun read! Mind you, the terms used are exactly the things I'd like to see abolished - female terms for male roles.

Jigjag

I think some words, terms are fine until we suit down and think about them. I don't really like the idea of someone 'waiting' on me, that seems slightly feudal! 'Serving' me isn't much better, of course, but at least there's no problem with the gender there. I struggle with actresses being 'actors', I think it'll be another few generations before that becomes normal.