The condescending use of the fine gentleman

by time news


A fine gentleman? That would also be a derogatory term for the Federal Chancellor, even if he dresses well.
Image: EPA

In the spring, our author wrote about the condescending use of the term lady. Some responded that the male counterpart felt the same way. Reason enough to devote oneself to the “Lord”.

“Dear Ms. Pfannkuch, something is happening in your head that you project to the outside world as universally valid. Others don’t see it that way.” Linguistics has its own name for what others supposedly don’t see: pejoration, i.e. the derogatory use of a term, for example lady. It was about her at this point a few months ago – and in a reflex that is exciting to observe, the comments under the online version of this article very quickly were no longer about her, but about the Lord, “in the sense of gender justice”. Another commenter pointed out, “‘The gentleman dares!’ but it’s no better either!”

The readers are right: the term “Mr.” is also being devalued, especially in online debates. There was a simple reason why he wasn’t mentioned in the previous text: it wasn’t about him. The women were allowed to go first. The fact that this supposed omission was commented on extensively and sometimes with relish inevitably makes one think of Asfa-Wossen Asserate. Every gentleman is a man, but not every man is a gentleman, according to his bestseller “Manner” from 2003. And before I make a reflexive comment along the lines of “So THAT also applies to the ladies!” column is typed: Yes, of course it does – but this time it should finally be about the Lord.

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