Is the term landlord offensive?

[Tweed]

The reason being is because it is gender specific and discredits women? I had someone tell me this today.

[CubsFan1982]

1. I don't find it offensive.

Should I?

[cestpaspossible]

2. Having a landlord

sucks, no matter how they are referred to.

[Dr.Phool]

11. I guess the only options to that

Own the property or be homeless.

[skygazer]

3. Well, "landperson" sounds stupid

What was their suggestion or did they have one?

[Tweed]

9. Property Manager

[mcscajun]

14. Yet a property manager often works *for* the landlord/landlady

Ownership doesn't always equate to management; in fact, when those doctor partnerships buy real estate directly, they always have a property management company to handle the messy details so they don't have to deal with tenants.

I personally don't have a problem with landlord applying to both genders; it's the term landlady that seems a bit diminutive, don't ask me why.

[skygazer]

15. The one that irritates me is "barmaid"

My sister is a bartender and she gets called "barmaid" occasionally which just frosts her cookies. I mean, a guy is a bartender so why would a woman not be a bartender also?

[mcscajun]

16. Damned if *I* know...my concept of a 'barmaid' is someone who's

bringing drinks to patrons in a old-style pub, drinks poured or made by the publican; A very antique concept, rather close to 'serving wench'.

A bartender is a bartender, is a bartender, IMO.

[Fenris]

4. I've heard the term landlady, too.

I suppose usage depends upon whom your addressing. But if you think I should say landperson, you can go to Hell.;)

[MrSlayer]

5. Well whoever told you that needs to get a grip.

Some people just like to bitch about anything, no matter how trivial.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

6. Whoever said that to you

needs to get his (or her) (or its) incompetent head out of his (her) (its) butt.

That's just real close to the dumbest thing I've read here.

[HEyHEY]

18. Yeah, just disregard all my efforts why don't ya

[davsand]

7. Beats Slumlord. N/T

[jobycom]

8. Gender specific language should be avoided when possible

Unless, of course, you are referring to a specific gender. It isn't so much insulting, as it is overall just limiting--it implies that a specific gender is attached to a specific role. It was a bigger deal a decade or two ago, I think, when it was harder for women to be taken seriously in the work place. The problem has lessened (though not disappeared).

It is also inaccurate, since you are calling someone who might be a woman by a male name. But I don't know what else you call a landlord.

That's my opinion, take it or leave it. :-)

[hickman1937]

10. Landlady is just as common as landlord.

Predatory lending practices are offensive. Kids with cancer, and no health insurance, thats offensive. Tell "someone" to get a grip.

[Radical Activist]

12. landlord is gender specific?

I didn't know only men could be lords. Go figure.

[Tweed]

13. That was my reaction too

[mcscajun]

19. Well as much as don't have a problem with using landlord across genders

Only men can be lords, in any system of aristocracy/heraldry; a woman may ascend to the rank of "lord" but she'd still be called "lady", or "dame", as the system dictated, unless of course some other title attached to the "lordship" in question.

As we're not talking aristocracy here, landlord should suffice, IMO.

[HEyHEY]

17. Did you tell them to fuck off?

[LiviaOlivia]

20. LOL. Thank you.

eom