Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 19, 2020 9:27 UTC (Fri) by eru (subscriber, #2753)
Parent article: Loaded terms in free software

I can see why we should lose "slave". A software project I worked on initially used it, but changed it to "hand" (as in "farmhand") already about 30 years ago, because we though it could be offensive. "Blacklist" and "whitelist" can also go, because the alternatives are much clearer.

But "master" has mostly meanings not connected with oppression: A leader like ship's master, or master of ceremonies, or a person with acknowledged great skill in some art. In the medieval guild system, a "master" was a tradesman entitled to have his own shop, and he needed to demonstrate his skill to earn the recognition. But he did not employ slaves, only free men. In fact, as an European, I never before connected this word with slavery, and wondered why in the "Game of Thrones" the term for the ruling class in slave-owning eastern cities was "wise masters". This discussion has made me understand why George RR Martin used that word, but it definitely is a local connotation.

Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 19, 2020 13:50 UTC (Fri) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (1 responses)

> In the medieval guild system, a "master" was a tradesman entitled to have his own shop, and he needed to demonstrate his skill to earn the recognition.

Hence the word "masterpiece" - ALWAYS MADE BY AN APPRENTICE!

It was effectively their practical exam - pass it and it's your masterpiece - the piece that made you a master.

Cheers,
Wol

Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 19, 2020 18:58 UTC (Fri) by anselm (subscriber, #2796) [Link]

You start out as an apprentice and when you've learned your trade you become a journeyman (journeyperson?). This means that you get to travel and work for employers in different areas to improve your skills further. The “masterpiece” comes only after you've done that for a few years, and want to settle down and open your own shop as a master.

The idea of travelling and working in different places for some time has pretty much died out in most crafts. Here in Germany the only people who keep that sort of tradition are house carpenters, and you sometimes see the journeyman carpenters looking for work. They're easily recognised by their black hats, jackets, and bell-bottom trousers and the huge wooden walking sticks and bundles that they carry.

Loaded terms in free software

Posted Jun 20, 2020 1:59 UTC (Sat) by milesrout (subscriber, #126894) [Link]

>I can see why we should lose "slave". A software project I worked on initially used it, but changed it to "hand" (as in "farmhand") already about 30 years ago, because we though it could be offensive.

I can't see why it would be offensive. Human slavery is offensive, but 'slave' as a term is much wider than that. Should we stop using the term 'Slav' to refer to.. well.. Slavs? After all, that's where the term 'slave' comes from originally.

>"Blacklist" and "whitelist" can also go, because the alternatives are much clearer.

Blacklist and whitelist are perfectly clear and have a long history inside and outside computing. They're just jargon in computing, something you have to learn, but they're also used outside of computing and have no history of being associated with racism at all. "Blacklist" is recorded in usage in the 17th century and I think possibly earlier too? Regardless, a very long time ago and not at all racist.