[Lexicog] First Lady

[John Roberts]

Hi Fritz,

>    Do you think that Hillary Rodham Clinton will be referred to as First
> Lady when she becomes President?

"...WHEN she becomes President?" Do you have some inside information on 
this?

Since she was First Lady when her husband was president I don't think Hilary 
Clinton would appreciate being called First Lady if she herself ever gets to 
be president.

> But I am curious to know who has decided on the 'First Gentleman' as an
> alternative to 'First Lady'?

Apparently, there has been some discussion about this. The title 'First 
Gentleman', while seeming to be apposite to 'First Lady' is inappropriate 
for the context. The title of "First Lady" reflects on the social duties of 
being "Lady of the house" (i.e. the White House). The analogues to this 
position for male spouses (spice?) are "Master of the house" or "Lord of the 
house", and hence the improbable "First Master" and "First Lord". Other 
suggestions are 'First Husband', 'First Lad' (from Lad(y)), 'First Dude' 
(what is a female dude? -- dudette). Nevertheless, 'First Gentleman' is the 
title most commonly adopted for husband's of presidents, governors, prime 
ministers, etc.

How about President and Presidentess instead of President and First Lady? Is 
the wife of Arnold Swarzenegger called the 'First Governatrix'?

In this context Cherie Blair could be titled 'First Lady'. Previously I had 
thought this couldn't happen because the queen is already the First Lady. 
Anyway, this debate could go on for a long time.

John Roberts



 
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