[mc32]

They can use worker hours, labor hours, etc.

However, it's true that criticizing man hours is not understanding language or etymology.

We could go on with things like cowboy and cowgirl. Why do we call adults boys and girls? On the other hand, they are just terms. Just like husband really isn't interpreted as "house bound". Bound, tied to a house, i.e. not free.

But... people being people we see others getting in trouble when son misunderstand etymology and meaning like when people use synonyms for frugality and people find offense. There will doubtlessly be other words which fall into disfavor for looking or sounding too much like a scoundrel word.

[ianstallings]

I agree completely. Language is, although defined, still up for interpretation and can be very vague. That's why we have to communicate more when there is some misunderstanding. And also why some of us spend an inordinate amount of time pruning our writing and speech. I hate to lose people just due to miscommunication. I don't want to offend anyone, because then my message is never sent. I get - Protocol error, do not resend!