I read in Wikipedia: “Janet Ajzenstat is a Professor Emerita …”
“Emerita”! Why the feminine form? Beats me.
Janet graduated from the university as a Bachelor of Arts. Should we now be referring to her as a Spinster of Arts?
She has an M.A. What’s that in newspeak? “Mistress of Arts”? Well, that sounds interesting!
She’s held fellowships. Sisterships? “Womanships?” The Jules and Gabrielle Léger Womanship?
It’s all very amusing. But dear friends, we don’t speak of poetesses any more. Or waitresses. The women who used to be called actresses are now actors – except on awards nights. There are still seamstresses, I admit, but the sculptresses are gone. And it’s been a very long time since we had an aviatrix.
Let me appeal to the Emeritae! (“Professors Emeritae”!) Move with the times. Claim the title. Become Professors Emeritus.
It’s interesting that you picked up on that point…
How is the rest of the article? Accurate?