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MUSCOVITE Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

girl Friday

Hi,

My Longman claims this term is
"British English, old-fashioned".

How can I convey the same idea in modern English, then?

mus-te
  

Top answer

MUSCOVITE My Longman claims this term is "British English, old-fashioned". Then I'm British and old-fashioned.

— Mister Micawber

  • MUSCOVITE My Longman claims this term is "British English, old-fashioned".
  • Then I'm British and old-fashioned.
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9 Answers
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MUSCOVITEMy Longman claims this term is "British English, old-fashioned".
Then I'm British and old-fashioned.
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How can I convey the same idea in modern English, then?

eg administrative assistant
eg aide

Clive
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No more references to LDOCE Emotion: big smile
Thank you MM!
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Thank you Clive!
I thought the ironical appellation gal Friday could not be used for the neutral (female) administrative assistant (or female aide) ... because it might sound kind of condescending/sexist/etc to some people nowadays?
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Yes, gal/girl Friday is best avoided. That's why I suggested administrative assistant. The adjective 'female' is also not necessary with that title.

Clive
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MUSCOVITEI thought the ironical appellation gal Friday
It is not ironical—not even sexist, I think, since we also have our man Friday. It is simply informal.
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CliveThe adjective 'female' is also not necessary with that title.
Well, I have got a followup question then (sorry for this "ramification point" :-)
Could you please explain to me WHY "administrative assistant" actually means "female AA"?
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MUSCOVITECould you please explain to me WHY "administrative assistant" actually means "female AA"?
That was not Clive's intention. The adjective is indeed necessary if you need to specify the *** of your AA, but it is good that it is unnecessary when you wish to be politically correct and NOT specify: that is the point.
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Thank you so much MM.
Clive's point is clear to me ... at last! Emotion: smile
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