Re: right-hand man

In the case of a woman, you are better of saying "right hand assistant" 
or "right hand helper."

The problem is that the word "man" in English can be the male of the 
species, but the word has also developed a secondary set of meanings 
based on the idea of an agent or doer -- e.g., manpower.

You can't or shouldn't just substitute the word "woman" in these 
secondary constructions. It sounds odd or humorous or sometimes even 
patronizing.

If you don't like using "man" in its secondary sense (and many women and 
men don't), then you are better off looking for a neutral word like 
"assistant," etc.

Bill Kelly
Connecticut USA

--

Gonzalo Felipe Baixauli wrote:
> 
> 
> The English idiom "right-hand man" means "the most helpful assistant or 
> employee". (from Speak English like an American, chapter 2)
> 
> I suppose if someone is a woman or a girl, you can say "right-hand woman."
> 
> Am I right?
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------
> Preguntá. Respondé. Descubrí.
> Todo lo que querías saber, y lo que ni imaginabas,
> está en Yahoo! Respuestas (Beta).
> Probalo ya!
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 


Our Message Board: http://belajarenglish.proboards76.com 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BelajarEnglish/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BelajarEnglish/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    mailto:BelajarEnglish-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    mailto:BelajarEnglish-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    BelajarEnglish-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/