LA Observed: Dom/sub would be OK

Dom/sub would be OK

Kevin Roderick • Bio • Email

Verdict: true. Tech companies that do business with L.A. County really have been told to stop referring to "master/slave" computer connections because of the "cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County." Snopes.com looked into it after the story whipped through the tech community and got the confirming memo from a county bureaucrat. A post at Slashdot ("News for Nerds") explains why the terms are used in the computer world -- and gets a bunch of responses.

Update Wednesday 1:20 a.m.: This is the top story on the Daily News website. Here's hoping it's not the lead story in the actual paper.

10:12 AM Tuesday, November 25 2003 • Link
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In a follow-up directive, Los Angeles County indicated that while "master/slave" would no longer be acceptable terminology for "control/passive" electronic equipment pairings, the term "massuh/boy" would be acceptable, pending further study.

(OK, OK, don't get bent out of shape...I'm just parodying political correctness. Besides, it's alright--I'm African American.)

Posted by: Scott at November 25, 2003 10:58 AM

"Besides, it's alright--I'm African American"

This punchline brought to you by The Ghost of Revolutions Past, Khalid Muhammad.

Posted by: DG at November 25, 2003 11:14 AM

Does this also apply to the brakes on County fleet vehicles where there are master and slave cylinders?

Posted by: GG at November 25, 2003 12:07 PM

No mass tape duplication, either.

Posted by: Todd Everett at November 25, 2003 05:44 PM

In spanish, "master/slave" is translated as "maestro/esclavo", which literally means "teacher/slave". Not only it is not politically incorrect, it's stupid!

Posted by: JJ at November 26, 2003 10:09 AM

Unless someone hacked into L.A. City's mailing list, this is indeed true. Or, at least, I got the same email.

Posted by: Lonewacko: I'm Still Blogging Across America at November 26, 2003 08:11 PM

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