Sexist terms--and their nonsexist counterparts

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Although we're now well into the 21st century, some people continue using archaic, sexist terms as part of their normal language. This annoys me!

When you're thinking about the correct term to use to describe someone, stop for a moment and ask yourself this question: If the person was the opposite sex, would you preface the term with male/female? For example, would you say, "female nurse" or "male pilot?" If not, then you shouldn't qualify the term you use with the other gender. If you're referring to a man who is a registered nurse, he's a nurse, period, not a male nurse. Just like a man who's a physician is just a physician, not a male physician. Likewise, a woman who is a pilot is a pilot, period, not a female pilot. A man who models is a model, not a male model, just like a woman who models is a model, not a female model.

Here are some sexist terms and their nonsexist counterparts; these came to me off the top of my head--as I think of others, I'll add them:

stewardess -or- steward --> flight attendant
male nurse --> nurse
male model --> model
mailman --> mail carrier
policeman --> police officer
fireman --> firefighter
female pilot --> pilot
girl Friday --> secretary -or- administrative assistant -or- [other appropriate job title]
male stripper --> stripper
salesman --> salesperson -or- clerk -or- [other appropriate job title]
girl (as in "I hired a new girl") --> woman
male prostitute --> prostitute
female soldier --> soldier
men at work --> crew at work -or- people at work
businessman --> businessperson
chairman --> chairperson -or- chair
waitress -or- waiter --> server
Congressman --> Congressperson -or- Representative
foreman --> manager -or- supervisor -or- [other appropriate job title]
housewife -or- househusband --> homemaker
male ballet dancer --> ballet dancer

Still not sure which word is correct? Please post a comment below, or contact us on Twitter.

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Misuse of "desert" for "dessert"

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This pet peeve, desert being misused for dessert, is a little different from most. That's because desert can be pronounced in more than one way, depending on how it's being used--and one of its pronunciations is exactly like dessert. No wonder people get confused!

When used as a noun, the word desert describes a place, like the Mojave Desert or the Sahara Desert.

The word dessert refers to something sweet eaten at the end of a meal.

However, when it's used as a verb, desert is pronounced just like dessert: "The soldier decided to desert his post."

Okay, so if you're referring to something you eat, it's dessert. If you're referring to a place, it's desert. If you're talking about someone leaving a place, it's desert BUT it's pronounced just like dessert. Got it? :)

Still not sure which word is correct? Please post a comment below, or contact us on Twitter.

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