General Discussion

Ocelot II

(126,219 posts)

24. The suffix -"ess" is attached to words representing the default, which is or was presumptively male,

Mon Jul 21, 2025, 04:11 PM

Monday

to indicate the female exception to some jobs or statuses, e.g., author, actor, host, waiter, steward, poet, comedian. To indicate the female exception, the suffix "ess" (sometimes "enne" or "ine", e.g., "heroine," "comedienne" ) was used but is now discouraged as sexist.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Maru Kitteh orangecrush

39 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Black author recounts nightmare racism on vacation cruise [View all] orangecrush Monday OP

"Authoress"? Ocelot II Monday #1

Archaic orangecrush Monday #7

And note that the video doesn't even call her that!!! yardwork Monday #14

Any thoughts on the racism orangecrush Monday #27

Corrected orangecrush Monday #18

I don't usually watch videos so I'll have to take your word for it. Ocelot II Monday #19

Ok thanks orangecrush Monday #20

"Chuck and Stephanie from Alberta" dalton99a Monday #2

I learned something new today Samael13 Monday #3

Miriam Webster orangecrush Monday #8

Modern usage is considered sexist obamanut2012 Monday #22

Ok sorry orangecrush Monday #28

There's no need for it. yardwork Monday #16

It is, modern usage is considered sexist obamanut2012 Monday #21

Summary! maveric Monday #4

Woman gets told by Kevin and Karen orangecrush Monday #9

Thats fucked up. maveric Monday #12

Totally orangecrush Monday #13

article: WhiskeyGrinder Monday #5

Thank you orangecrush Monday #10

"Author," exactly like the title of the video LearnedHand Monday #6

Merriam Webster orangecrush Monday #11

No one said anything diminutive orangecrush Monday #15

It is by definition diminutive. yardwork Monday #17

Agreed, Generally; Not Specifically ProfessorGAC Monday #29

Thanks, Professor orangecrush Monday #37

Modern usage of "authoress" is considered sexist -- why did you change author to authoress? obamanut2012 Monday #23

Sorry orangecrush Monday #26

The suffix -"ess" is attached to words representing the default, which is or was presumptively male, Ocelot II Monday #24

Got it orangecrush Monday #25

potato, poTAHto -bottom line B.See Monday #30

Thank you JustAnotherGen Monday #34

And with her Mom there orangecrush Monday #36

Exactly. Didn't watch the video, but B.See Monday #38

Exactly the point Reese Waters made orangecrush Monday #39

Dang.....racist Canadians. I'm one of the first to ever type that phrase. 😁 Melon Monday #31

I experienced JustAnotherGen Monday #33

Of course JustAnotherGen Monday #32

... orangecrush Monday #35