Re: punctuated abbreviations // was english spelling reform

--- Andreas Johansson <and_yo@...> wrote:

> > It doesn't mean either.
That's a matter of debate.

> > The point behind "Ms" is that with only the
> > terms "Mrs" and "Miss", it's impossible to refer
to
> > a woman by means
> > of an honorific without specifying her marital
> > status.  This was felt
> > to be discriminatory, and "Ms" was introduced as a
> > direct counterpart of the male "Mr".  It was
> > coined in 1949, but didn't become popular until
the
> > '70s.
>
> Makes kinda sense, I guess,
Not really. "Mister" isn't maritally ambiguous.

> but /mIz/ sure sounds alot like "Miss", doesn't
> it?
It does. I'd pronounce them the same.

What's funny is that, at least for me, "MRS", "MISS"
and "MZ" all get the zame pronunciation, i.e., /mIz/.

What's ironic is that "MZ" developped in response to a
perceived discrimination in honorifics.

What's odd is that we guys are _still_ discriminated
against: there is only "MR" - which refers to married
men. There is no equivalent of "MISS": "master" is
archaic and when used generally referred to young
boys, (or else slave owners).

What's stupid is that PCism will demand righting the
"wrong" for womyn and give them an honorific that
isn't needed; but won't do the same for men, who
apparently have it all anyway. Also, I find it stupid
that "MZ" is becomming the default. I get a lot of
junque mail addressed to "Mz. P. Brown".

> Andreas
Padraic.


=====
Camifi, Marusi, teterani, tester fuferios asteros; tamenio
vem Persaecion empuriase ed ec pasem emduriase.
        -Pomperios Perfurios.

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