STAFFING or MANNING?

Mrs. Linklater doesn't quite know how to bring this up, but she feels that some comment is necessary.  

Call it what you may, being over sensitive, a rabid feminist, a victim of post-pms stress disorder, whatever, but her sensibilities are offended by the use of the term "MANNED" to describe what happens when people are part of a group working together to make something happen.

Dictionary.com defines MANNED as:

1. To supply with men, as for defense or service: man a ship.
2. To take stations at, as to defend or operate: manned the guns.
3. To fortify or brace: manned himself for the battle ahead.

The term seems especially archaic given the number of women serving in the military these days.

So while Mrs. Linklater was thrilled to have the opportunity to be the Guest Editor this week and rectify some unwarranted oversights in the journaling community, she feels the need to correct Journals Editor Joe, ever so gently. It should be pointed out that he's not alone. But he is convenient.

"Manning the ship of the [now defunct] AOL Journals' state this week is Guest Editor, Mrs. Linklater, who I describe on the main page as 'iconoclastic.'"

Mrs. L was flattered to be described as "iconoclastic." The word fits her like a pair of tight leather pants. But she feels that "MANNING" would have been more appropriate for someone of the male persuasion, who was in fact a member of our armed forces. 

It is perhaps because women are now integrated into so many formerly male dominated jobs that attempts to use gender neutral language is practiced more rigorously. Most of the time.

Thus the term "STAFFED" or "STAFFING" has been employed to replace the clearly gender specific, but often inaccurate term, "MANNED" or "MANNING."

Mrs. Linklater, being female, would have happier if Joe had written, "Leading the ship of the AOL Journals' state" or better yet, "Staffing the Guest Editor's desk this week is Mrs. Linklater, etc."

For reference, the Dictionary.com definition for STAFFED is:

1. To provide with a staff of workers or assistants.
2. To serve on the staff of.

As politically correct language goes, STAFFED is not as awkward as chairperson for chairman. But it is just as relevant as using firefighter for fireman and mail carrier for mailman. Or police officer for policeman.

Mrs. Linklater doesn't want to whine too much about this, but using the word "MAN" to describe something a woman is doing is like a coach calling a boys' team "GIRLS" when he wants to insult them. Same diff to Mrs. L.

One final comment about gender neutral descriptors. For a long time people didn't know how to be more politically correct with waiters and waitresses.  Until they came up with SERVER.

But Mrs. L's favorite option was WATRON.  She's not alone.  Three years ago in Park City, Utah, she saw a huge sign on a soon-to-open restaurant that said, "WATRONS WANTED. APPLY INSIDE." Sadly, she did not have her camera with her to capture the moment forever.

Some things take awhile to catch on.  She thinks STAFFING instead of MANNING may not be an overnight success.  But  it could happen.

Remember that the next time a watron takes your order.