seaskybound

title says all...

Ocn Vw 1K

For reference, here is a cite to an older, since-closed thread on the subject. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.

doctall41

and when a Flight Attendant goes to a restaurant, do they say "waiter/waitress" or do they insist on calling the server a "meal attendant"?
do they call the cashier a "register attendant"

same standard should apply.

delicate geniuses!

biggestbopper

The presumption behind this thread is incorrect. There is nothing PC about the stewardess/flight attendant matter--in fact, it long pre-dates the pseudo PC "controversy."

I recall numerous TWA and Pan Am FAs in the 60s explaining to me that they were not "stewardesses" because their main function on the flights was to ensure passenger safety, per FAA regs, and not to serve things, no matter what the passengers thought based on airline advertising.

The same is true today.

Efrem

A lot of people refer to waiters and waitresses as "servers." At restaurants where they introduce themselves to diners they often say "I'll be your server tonight," even though it's obvious which gender the person presents as and therefore which gender-specific term would suit if they wanted to use it.

SFflyer123

It's interesting also, because I never remember the term, "pursor" as a kid. Maybe I was not paying attention, but seems like a fairly new term, no?

Also, Steward/Stewardess is gone just like secretary is gone. I have AA's, not secretarys. Why is secretary not p.c.?

People no longer say hot rod; they say sports car.

Most people say soft drink, not soda pop (although I know in some parts of the country they still do).

people used to call people square; now they say dork or nerd

I think it's just how times change.

tjl

Hilary Clinton does not seem to mind being the Secretary of State of the United States.

skylady

The terms have changed to make them non gender specific.

Italy98

Hence, which is why we now have (in the US) Administrative Assistants day.

I would say that Administrative Assistants day is named for me, however, come 1 Oct when Mrs. Italy retires I will no longer be her administrative assistant.

Efrem

I remember the purser (not "pursor;" I don't think airlines spell it with an "o," either) from several Atlantic sea crossings as a child in the 1950s. He (never, at the time and as far as I recall, "she") was in charge of all aspects of cabin service and passenger care in general. The term originated with the person's responsibility for the "purse;" that is, the money stuff. Cruise ships have pursers today, with much the same responsibility: just about everything on board except engines, deck and navigation.

I don't know how old this poster is, but few FTers were kids much before I was!

Maybe someone else can enlighten us as to when airlines picked up the term. I suspect it was also quite a while ago, but I can't confirm that.

acunningham

I have a feeling that it's not the job she really wanted :-))

biggestbopper

No.

Purser was, AFAIK, first used in airlines biz by Pan Am on their "Clipper" trans-ocean service in the 1930s following Cunard et al ocean liner lingo.

The origins of the word go back, at least, to the 15th Century. http://east.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/purser

hfly

The thread cited above was a fun thread, which was even singled out in the Talkmail for that period of time. Unfortunately it went south, for a host of reasons, including many who could not imagine stewardess to be a polite term (of course not noting that many airline terms came from sea ships, an steward or stewardess had real responsibilities to see after cabins and passengers, an attendant cleaned the toilet). If this thread lives on I am sure that certain PC police posters will be all over it.