State of the language

It was an interesting article you ran Sept. 8 describing the difficulties associated with maintaining post offices on small occupied islands. Despite the fact that there is no such thing, the writer referred to a “postmistress” at least five times.

The U.S. Postal Service has no such office. The correct term is “postmaster,” and has nothing to do with the sex of the office holder. To call a postmaster a postmistress is as demeaning as referring to the top woman chief officer as a chiefette.

Next thing you know you’ll extend that abomination of political correctness (which is anything but) of having a “chair” preside over a meeting, by abandoning all common sense and having post offices headed by a “post.” Jerry L. Durnbaugh Blue Hill