Use of the word “master” is being frowned on by some, notes Grumpy Editor.
With racism forcing a more critical look at our language, “master” already is forcing a change --- in real estate.
The Houston Association of Realtors, for example, says it is replacing “master" with "primary" to describe bedrooms and bathrooms in its listings.
A master bedroom typically refers to the largest bedroom in the house, often accompanied by a private bathroom.
The phrase "master bedroom" first appeared in a 1926 Sears catalog.
As a CNN story points out, the term "master bedrooms" was widely implemented in American homes after World War II, intended to give parents a private space within their own homes.
“While it's unclear whether the term is rooted in American slavery on plantations, it evokes that history,” adds CNN. “Now, because of its slavery-era connotations, some members of the real estate industry are now calling to retire the term "master."
Nationally, 42 percent of current property listings on Zillow use the term "master" in reference to a bedroom or a bath.
Meanwhile, one wonders how long other terms with "master" will survive, including master of ceremonies, masterpiece, master key, mastermind, master mechanic and master sergeant.
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