Hi Mandy.

Thanks for reading and responding.

As I wrote, the term has its supporters (those who see it as a term of respect) and detractors. It is a term that upsets many women as being ageist, and I quote Natalie Angier and her poll.

It is a common term in the South, where it is seen as being respectful; it is not seen that way in many other places.

Regardless, does it really add anything to a conversation is what I’m hoping to address. I don’t think it does. Language matters, and if a term isn’t universally embraced and might upset someone, why say it?

Thanks