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'female actors' @793

In a few years some bright spark may exclaim, "Wow! I think there is a way of saying that in one word instead of two. What about 'actresses'?'

I can't understand the logic of the trend to 'actors'. Surely women aren't ashamed to be defined as actresses?

I think I have mentioned before my regret at the possible demise of the '...as the actress said to the bishop' jokes. Substituting 'actor' renders them pointless.

jigjag, Paul

Thanks. I cant understand why some women want to be called actors. In my amdram group, all the women are actresses. I like actress/bishop jokes.

Sad news from yesterday, but note the key difference…

The Times
“Shirley Anne Field, actress, was born on June 27, 1936. She died on December 10, 2023, aged 87”

The Guardian
“Stage and screen actor Shirley Anne Field dies aged 87”

The Independent
“Shirley Anne Field, the English actor known for her film roles in The Entertainer and Alfie, has died aged 87”

Assuming this trend continues, how long before the Academy Awards etc. drop the best actor/actress distinction, especially given the increasing number of humans who identify as neither or both. "Best carbon-based life form that appeared in a film"?

Of course that discriminates against robots, AI, etc. What to do, what to do... (as he clicks "I'm not a robot" in order to post).

grunger @795

Actress/bishop jokes.

Of course these also rely on the bishop being male. With the appointment of female bishops this is not now a given. Therefore we need a suitable distinguishing word. Surely you are not going to suggest 'bishopess'?

Good spot with the newspaper obituaries, jono. Now I have another reason for subscribing exclusively to The Times.

Grunger, your long and varied career sounded fascinating. I just want to check... when you were an executrix, I hope you were dealing with estates, dead people's estates... and not making people dead?

I'm not a fan of 'actor' for female thespians, but some of them feel quite strongly about the terms used. I don't mind actress and shepherdess, but I dislike poetess and a few others (that I've now forgotten, I think my brain erases them to keep me calm).

An elderly, slightly prim and proper aunt, used to refer to consulting a 'lady doctor'. I assumed this was a gynaecologist and didn't ask too many questions. My mother told me later that it was simply a female doctor.

jono

Thanks, I am glad I only read the Times.

Paul

I am not religious but I dont see why we need female bishops, although I accept that priestesses were necessary owing to the shortage of priests. I have never considered the matter but your suggestion of bishopess is a good one.

...as long as we can all restrain ourselves from referring to male ones as bishoprics...

Malone

Yes it was to deal with an estate, I am pleased to say. I cant imagine me executrixing anybody, except possibly a female actor. You reminded me that when we did The Mikado at school, Miss Gettit-Wright used to make us sing about the Lord High Executionress.