Is the word 'master' always gendered?
The word 'master' is obviously gendered sometimes, but is it always so?
There is the perhaps traditional sense associated with servitude.
- Master Frodo
- Master of the realm
In these cases the word cold be replaced with mistress without sounding unusual.
Then there are cases which are traditional terms, but don't seem to be applied differently if a female is applicable.
- master at arms
- quarter master
Then there is a more general. Master of something. For example
She was a master of disguise
To my mind this may not be gendered. I've not seen 'mistress' used in this way. Also outside of a formal title 'mistress' has other, less positive connotations.
Is it still gendered in this sense? Are there good neutral alternatives?
Think of Actor and Actress. In general, Actress has been dropped in the US in favor a more gender neutral approach.
As language and usage evolved, Mistress is gradually bring dropped in favor of Master. Mistress has several other connotations including the use in the power-exchange community.
Also, regardless of one's gender, one earns a Masters Degree...
As Sapir and Whorf suggest, language and use do evolve.