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I am not a "Master"
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Henry Law
Jun 18, 2013, 5:25:37 PM6/18/13
to
I abhor, reject and abjure this term, which has been foisted upon us by
them-as-knows-better, and henceforth refuse to utter it except where
pea-brains will be confused by it.
1. It's a patronising euphemism, presumably because someone thought
"veterans" had too much flavour of "old". Well "old" is what I'm getting.
2. Worse, it implies mastery of the craft. Nothing could be further
from the truth, for me and a great many others.
3. It leads us into even more farcical terms. "Novice Masters" is not a
phrase that belongs other than in learned discussions on monasteries and
the contemplative life.
Pah!
--
Henry Law Manchester, England
them-as-knows-better, and henceforth refuse to utter it except where
pea-brains will be confused by it.
1. It's a patronising euphemism, presumably because someone thought
"veterans" had too much flavour of "old". Well "old" is what I'm getting.
2. Worse, it implies mastery of the craft. Nothing could be further
from the truth, for me and a great many others.
3. It leads us into even more farcical terms. "Novice Masters" is not a
phrase that belongs other than in learned discussions on monasteries and
the contemplative life.
Pah!
--
Henry Law Manchester, England
sully
Jun 18, 2013, 8:14:43 PM6/18/13
to
derision, as in: "No I'm not a competitive rower I'm a Masters".
The only other choice is to be a "Reccer"
I'm prolly more a Reccer than a Masters since I don't
race, but the other day a single started coming up
on me and I put the hammer down to keep him from
passing so I guess I'm a masters.
Note - it's always plural even when referring to
an individual. This distiguishes the term from
"Master" where you have achieved and can demonstrate
superior expertise and talent.
If you've ever heard 50 year old rowers complaining
loudly because the medals weren't ready at the
head race they raced in, you'll share my contempt.
Henry - this might be this week's geezer rant but
I'm still hating the rowing coaches from two weeks
ago.
:^)
ATP
Jun 18, 2013, 9:23:20 PM6/18/13
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"Henry Law" <ne...@lawshouse.org> wrote in message
news:l8SdnRYNu_jMTV3M...@giganews.com...
johnf...@gmail.com
Jun 19, 2013, 5:52:01 AM6/19/13
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Masterfully spoken, Henry!
I'm not fond of "Veteran" either. Veteran of what? It's not a war after all.
And "Elite". Some of them don't have sterling technique, so maybe it just means "among the fastest"??
They're just words, and one of the charms of this language is that each word can have multiple meanings, offering scope for innuendo and humor. But "Masters" has seen enough usage in many different sports that most people understand that the plural form refers to people who are past the age where they are competing in the Olympics. The only exception that comes to mind is golf.
I'm not fond of "Veteran" either. Veteran of what? It's not a war after all.
And "Elite". Some of them don't have sterling technique, so maybe it just means "among the fastest"??
They're just words, and one of the charms of this language is that each word can have multiple meanings, offering scope for innuendo and humor. But "Masters" has seen enough usage in many different sports that most people understand that the plural form refers to people who are past the age where they are competing in the Olympics. The only exception that comes to mind is golf.
JK
Jun 19, 2013, 6:46:26 AM6/19/13
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I'm not sure that "Senior" would be any better and already used as a category in UK points system...
I too objected to the foistering/globalisation of "Masters"... I liked "Veterans"... Veteran of Life So Far... and dragging up 3 kids, maintaining marriage and finding time to still row is at least a constant battle if not a war ;0)
If everyone can cope with a tap being a faucet, trousers - pants, etc. surely so long as definition the same under FISA we could have veteran - master? Viva la difference! (weekend - le weekend!!)
If we can't have Veterans back, how about "Old Blades", would give us an instant rallying point at Henley!
I too objected to the foistering/globalisation of "Masters"... I liked "Veterans"... Veteran of Life So Far... and dragging up 3 kids, maintaining marriage and finding time to still row is at least a constant battle if not a war ;0)
If everyone can cope with a tap being a faucet, trousers - pants, etc. surely so long as definition the same under FISA we could have veteran - master? Viva la difference! (weekend - le weekend!!)
If we can't have Veterans back, how about "Old Blades", would give us an instant rallying point at Henley!
davie...@gmail.com
Jun 19, 2013, 8:02:21 AM6/19/13
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> adept, battle-scarred, been around, disciplined, exercised, expert, from way back, hardened, inured, knows one's stuff, long-serving, long-time, not born yesterday, of the old school, old, old-time, practical, practiced, pro*, proficient, skilled, sophisticated, steady, trained, up to speed, versed, vet, weathered, wise, wise to ways, worldly
Take your pick!
Kit
johnf...@gmail.com
Jun 19, 2013, 10:05:43 AM6/19/13
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Thinking about it more, it seems to me that "Masters" (with an "s") is simply shorthand for "Age Group Competitor". These days there's Masters Swimming, Triathlon, Bicycle Roadracing, etc so it's not unique to rowing and has general meaning for competition in different sports.
And it is tied to competition, so should be restricted to those who actually compete. "Masters swimmer" implies that the person competes in age-group swimming, otherwise they're simply a '"swimmer".
"Veteran" isn't a good substitute because Masters categories begin at 27 - calling a 27 YO a Vet seems silly.
The Head of the Charles has a convoluted series of terms for different age groups. FISA's system of Masters A, Masters B, etc actually seems more sensible.
Given the background, to me the term "Masters" doesn't either sound perjorative or imply expertise.
I do find "geezer" objectionable.
And it is tied to competition, so should be restricted to those who actually compete. "Masters swimmer" implies that the person competes in age-group swimming, otherwise they're simply a '"swimmer".
"Veteran" isn't a good substitute because Masters categories begin at 27 - calling a 27 YO a Vet seems silly.
The Head of the Charles has a convoluted series of terms for different age groups. FISA's system of Masters A, Masters B, etc actually seems more sensible.
Given the background, to me the term "Masters" doesn't either sound perjorative or imply expertise.
I do find "geezer" objectionable.
gsl...@gmail.com
Jun 19, 2013, 4:54:45 PM6/19/13
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On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 7:05:43 AM UTC-7, johnf...@gmail.com wrote:
....
....
> I do find "geezer" objectionable.
I kind of like Geezer (and for the fairer sex Geezerettes). Lets change the age groups to Junior, Open, Senior, Master, Vet, Geezer, and Fossil. :)
Steve
Jun 20, 2013, 10:58:03 AM6/20/13
to
I just think of myself as an old fart that thrashes away on the end of an
oar-thingy and starts to run out of puff after the first 1k of a warm-up.
Too old to really be doing this sort of thing and too stupid to realize it!
;)
P.S Haven't posted here in a while and felt a little mischievous, so
apologies for the less than serious response.
--
Regards
Steve
John Greenly
Jun 20, 2013, 11:09:50 AM6/20/13
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