T-Rex: It's not often you can see how language is evolving, but you can totally see it today with male and female nouns.
T-Rex: It's the coolest!
T-Rex: Some pairs (like "prince" and "princess") are completely accepted, while others (like "teacher" and "teacheress") seem insanely sexist and out of date. It depends on the word! Dromiceiomimus: Female teachers used to be called "teacheresses"? That's so bizarre! T-Rex: I know! But maybe one day people will think that about "princesses". Or MAYBE they'll wonder how we got by without the word "astronautrix"!
T-Rex: The coolest of all these words, though, are clearly those on the threshold of acceptability. Utahraptor: Such as?
T-Rex: Oh, "actress" and "stewardess", I guess - words which some people will use without hesitation, but which others will call sexist. There's no consensus! Utahraptor: Well, I can see the use of "actress", because usually the gender of the person affects what roles they can play.
T-Rex: Looks like you've come down on the side of "gendered professional nouns have their occasional uses"! Off panel: Looks like! T-Rex: T- That's cool, man. T-Rex: Are we still friends?
What are the haps my friends
probably the perfect gift for anyone, PROBABLY
This comic is from June 23rd, 2005! I didn't write things down here back then. Or maybe I did, and they are now LOST FOREVER. But here is a random merchandise image; perhaps you are... tantalized?
