3 ms·

Some iconic precursors to PC speech was the redefinition of role titles. Janitor which everyone was familiar with would be replaced with "sanitation engineer"

by mc32 4y ago

Some iconic precursors to PC speech was the redefinition of role titles. Janitor which everyone was familiar with would be replaced with "sanitation engineer" or something similar which conveyed less what the person did do.

Cthulhu_ 4y ago
It kinda sounds like classism or wage related; "janitor" or "cleaner" sounds common, a "sanitation engineer" or "chief housekeeping manager" sounds like they would earn more.
- mc32 4y ago
  Would I prefer to be a Janitor earning $20/hr or would I prefer being a sanitation engineer earning $15/hr. Sounds like I'm trading title for less money. There is probably some relationship with the now passe "rock star" "ninja".
Lio 4y ago
I think it's worse than that because it actually devalues the role of engineer, and the role of janitor by presenting it as something it's not. A sanitation engineer sounds like someone that knows how to safely build sewers or run a sewage processing plant. i.e. something you'd have a formal education and be accredited for. With respect for honest hardworking janitors everywhere, that's not the same thing as minor plumbing or ensuring that places are properly cleaned. Neither task is engineering. - “I understand that you’re a neurosurgeon.” (Bert grins.) “…No; I’m a barber. But a lot of people make that mistake.”
Gordonjcp 4y ago
Right, but that's a fictional example. No-one has actually unironically called a janitor a "sanitation engineer".
- mc32 4y ago
  Not so fast: Brand Evangelist (Marketing) Outplacement consultant (someone who comes in to fire people) Flueologist (Chimneysweep) Loss prevention officer (Security guard) Waste removal engineer (trashman/trashwoman) https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiting-firm-shares-the-50-weirdest-job-titles-theyve-ever-seen-2012-8 https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiting-firm-shares-the-5...
  - Gordonjcp 4y ago
    So a clickbait piece in on a Buzzfeed-style site?
    - mc32 4y ago
      It’s fluff (trivia) but it’s real. Those titles exist. If buzzfeed has a listicle of the most populous cities, Does that mean those cities are not real?

by mc32 4y ago

Cthulhu_ 4y ago

It kinda sounds like classism or wage related; "janitor" or "cleaner" sounds common, a "sanitation engineer" or "chief housekeeping manager" sounds like they would earn more.

mc32 4y ago
Would I prefer to be a Janitor earning $20/hr or would I prefer being a sanitation engineer earning $15/hr. Sounds like I'm trading title for less money. There is probably some relationship with the now passe "rock star" "ninja".

Lio 4y ago

I think it's worse than that because it actually devalues the role of engineer, and the role of janitor by presenting it as something it's not. A sanitation engineer sounds like someone that knows how to safely build sewers or run a sewage processing plant. i.e. something you'd have a formal education and be accredited for. With respect for honest hardworking janitors everywhere, that's not the same thing as minor plumbing or ensuring that places are properly cleaned. Neither task is engineering. - “I understand that you’re a neurosurgeon.” (Bert grins.) “…No; I’m a barber. But a lot of people make that mistake.”

Gordonjcp 4y ago

Right, but that's a fictional example. No-one has actually unironically called a janitor a "sanitation engineer".

mc32 4y ago
Not so fast: Brand Evangelist (Marketing) Outplacement consultant (someone who comes in to fire people) Flueologist (Chimneysweep) Loss prevention officer (Security guard) Waste removal engineer (trashman/trashwoman) https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiting-firm-shares-the-50-weirdest-job-titles-theyve-ever-seen-2012-8 https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiting-firm-shares-the-5...
- Gordonjcp 4y ago
  So a clickbait piece in on a Buzzfeed-style site?
  - mc32 4y ago
    It’s fluff (trivia) but it’s real. Those titles exist. If buzzfeed has a listicle of the most populous cities, Does that mean those cities are not real?