Is every man now a gentleman?

[lyle11]

When I watch TV I tend to like true crime types of shows like Forensic Files or Disappeared. One thing that drives me nuts is the use of the term “gentleman”. For example, a witness to a crime is interviewed and says, “I saw the gentleman beating a woman in the parking lot”.

I know in the business world the term gentleman is used and it seems to have carried over to refer to any male. The dictionary describes a gentleman as someone who “conforms to a high standard or proper behavior.” I’m not even sure I meet that standard, but I know men who commit heinous crimes don’t.

I know in the big scheme of things it’s minor. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this and wants to immediately correct the person using the term for a man who is obviously anything but a gentleman.

[Don McCombs]

Won’t be long now until the use of the term gentleman is taboo in any context, along with any other reference to gender.

[Urbish]

I agree that the term "gentleman" has been watered down over time. That said, I can't remember the last time I used the word in any context, in both writing and speech. But if I did, it would only be used in conformance with the dictionary definition. Anyone who is not known to me to be a gentleman would never be referred to as such.

[muleboss]

Just like the word hero. Used way out of text.

[Jim Becker]

Maybe the cop show writers use something more accurate and the network substitutes something the FCC allows.

[lyle11]

I’m not bothered by giving a group of men that you are addressing the benefit of the doubt by referring to them as gentlemen. Or addressing a crowd as “Ladies and Gentlemen”. It’s when the word is used synonymously with the word “man” when someone’s actions or behavior are clearly criminal or thuggish.

I don’t get the hero thing either. So much patting oneself on the back today for something that you don’t have to advertise by having a sign in your yard. It diminishes the real heroes when common things are determined to be heroic. I’m definitely not a hero. I’ve thought about that before how I’d act if I ever was put into a situation where I needed to be heroic.

[Jim Becker]

Agree on the "hero" thing. It seems "hero" gets used a lot where the accurate word is "victim". Heroics imply some selfless act or putting your self at risk for the benefit of others. All that is required to be a victim is some bad luck or exercising a lack of judgment.

[lyle11]

I don’t think it’s edited or suggested by the crime shows, although I don’t recall even mild 4 letter words in these shows. I think it’s a term that people, usually professional people, use in a business or office setting. You sound more professional by saying, “please escort the gentlemen from Company X into the meeting room”. Then it carries over into conversation and people use the term for every man without thinking even when it doesn’t apply. It’s not something I hear on a weekly basis, but I’ve heard it enough that it’s a pet peeve of mine.

[Stanton]

...You sound more professional by saying, “please escort the gentlemen from Company X into the meeting room”...

In some ways, when a person addresses another as a "gentleman", it's more of a reflection on the speaker than to whom it is directed. Agree with you, overused; watered down, as we've done so much in language. A true "hero" usually shines compared to the one who desperately seeks the title. Like so many, especially via social media, they're desire to be known.

[Indy4570]

it's the end of the world as we know it..... Sad to say I believe those words from that song are true. I see things all over today that make me shudder. Things I never thought would be considered commonplace. The death of civility. The demise of common sense. The death of accountability. All things we should hold on to as long as we can. Social media is bring about the end of civilization. I used that word in a loose context, more in a sense of the original historic bent. If our society is no longer civil then how can we be considered a civilized nation?

Never before when making a trip across the country to pick up something have I thought to call the State police to check if the outer loop is clear or filled with people ranting and raving about some grievance. 2020 is the year I did that and altered my routes to avoid some cities. Being an old white man makes you a target. Now even the CDC thinks you should not get the vaccine if you are old simply, ( I use their words here ) "Old people are more white" So reverse racism is fine if it impacts white people.

" It's the end of the world as we know it....." I am sad to say I am not feeling fine about it.

[T-Mo]

Kind of reminds me of the 3 Stooges in their one skit, where they ente a room and the guy says, "Gentlemen", and the 3 stooges look around and say "Who walked in?" or something of that effect.

[Barnyard]

Kind of reminds me of the 3 Stooges in their one skit

Several skits actually. It was a running gag.

[SamsFarm]

Not very gentleman like if they are beating on someone!

What about the term "first responders" used in place of emergency personal?

Why call them first responders when they are not always first to respond!!!!!

Whom ever is first and takes the time to lend a hand to someone in need is the first responder!

I get so tired hearing the news people call emergency personal first responders!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

NO, most definitely, not all men are gentlemen. Some are the north end of a south bound horse.

[staninlowerAL]

NO, most definitely, not all men are gentlemen. Some are the north end of a south bound horse.

Agree John......Also, most definitely there are more horses' ends in the world than there are horses!!! JMHO