Comments on: Feminist catfight my patoot

by: Amanda Marcotte

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:55:43 +0000

Elayne, most of the older feminists who have the logo explained to them get it, though. I’ve not heard too much anger about it. Mostly it’s clear it’s a joke.

by: Margaret

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:44:38 +0000

The New York Times still uses “Mrs.” frequently, as in “Mrs. Clinton.” (In fairness to the Times, however, Senator Clinton apparently chose the “Mrs.” honorific rather than “Ms.” for the purposes of the Senate Roll Call, and the Times never uses “Senator” as an honorific.)

by: Rose

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:08:45 +0000

I agree with Roxie- male politicians are usually given only a last name, and it looks weird and overly formal when you see them referred to as “Mr.”

by: Roxie

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:32:55 +0000

I have never, ever heard of that Doug. What “writers of style manuals” of 1857?

Maybe it’s another “generational” thing, but since AT LEAST 2001 (and I know it started much earlier) they teach that it is last name only (not counting titles and degrees).

by: Samantha Vimes

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:32:12 +0000

I’m all in favor of honorifics, used consistently.

by: Doug

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:32:09 +0000

Roxie,
What would you prefer over “Ms.” Wasn’t that advanced as a more modern alternative to Miss, Mrs., not to mention the old “(Mrs.)” Wonder how many readers ever even saw that one. [It was at one time used on letters by married women, particularly in the South.]

If not “Ms.” then what on second ref? Just the last name? Some writers of style manuals contend that last-name only refs should be used only for notorious individuals, such as criminals, in order to avoid the honorary title.

by: Mirabile Dictu

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:03:17 +0000

or i should say *during* boobiegate, which was about jessica’s picture. i don’t think Ann’s a second-wave feminist, though. isn’t she more like CWA?

by: Mirabile Dictu

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:59:25 +0000

On the other hand, there’s a kernel of truth there, as witnessed by the discussions about Feministing’s logo and the reactions to it from second-wave v. third-wave-and-beyond feminists.

Do you mean Ann Althouse and “boobiegate”?

by: Eric, Rejector of Memes

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:18:01 +0000

I prefer the honorific. It’s not like American culture is overly formal, in case you haven’t noticed.

(In fact, we need MORE honorifics: in some countries, “Engineer” is a title like “Doctor”.)

by: signthelist

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:18:48 +0000

Although, articles referring to Mr. Loaf, Mr. Diddy, and Mr. Dogg are kind of awesome. I can get behind that stylistic choice.