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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

Owner/master

Hi,

What's the difference between owner and master in the sentence?

The cat is missing, and its owner/master is looking for it.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

'Master' is old-fashioned. And anyway, it is impossible to master a cat.

— Mister Micawber

  • 'Master' is old-fashioned.
  • And anyway, it is impossible to master a cat.
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5 Answers
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'Master' is old-fashioned. And anyway, it is impossible to master a cat.
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Hi,

'Master' suggests obedience. Cats don't obey.

'Master' is more aasociated with dogs, whcih are more ready to obey.

The word 'owner' is more common for both cats and dogs today.

Clive
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Thank you MM and Clive for your help.

Does 'master' only refer to male (not female) owner of animals?

Can I use 'master' for any other kind of animals such as mice in addition to dogs?
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Does 'master' only refer to male (not female) owner of animals?-- Strictly, yes; the feminine form is 'mistress', which unfortunately has another more common meaning nowadays. It is better to avoid both terms: they are dated.

Can I use 'master' for any other kind of animals such as mice in addition to dogs?-- No, that would be ridiculous. 'Master' has to do with controllin
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Master can be used for the female gender, but the matching feminine form is mistress.

She is the master in this house. (The lady is the boss in the house. Even her husband obeys her every whim.)

This is quite old-fashioned and not used in present time. You will see it in Victorian novels:

Mary is the mistress of the house. (Mary does the job of wife, mother
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