---
title: "Bias-free words (waitress, foreman)"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_5/communication_english:bias-free-words-waitress"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/bias-free-words-waitress
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Bias-free words (waitress, foreman)

Communication English · Chapter 4: Introduction to technical writing process

- Asked in: 2081 Chaitra (new course), 5 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/bias-free-words-waitress
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-4

## Question

Write bias-free words of the following: Waitress, foreman, alumni, faculty wife, Frenchmen, rise of man, mastermind (noun), ladylike, be his own boss, gentleman's agreement.

## Short answer

Use server, supervisor, graduates, faculty spouse, French people, rise of humankind, planner, polite, be self-employed, informal agreement.

## Answer

| Biased word | Bias-free word |
|---|---|
| Waitress | Server, wait staff |
| Foreman | Supervisor, crew leader |
| Alumni (masculine plural) | Graduates, alumni and alumnae, former students |
| Faculty wife | Faculty spouse, spouse of a faculty member |
| Frenchmen | The French, French people |
| Rise of man | Rise of humankind, rise of human beings |
| Mastermind (noun) | Genius, architect, planner, organiser |
| Ladylike | Polite, courteous, gracious |
| Be his own boss | Be self-employed, be one's own boss |
| Gentleman's agreement | Informal agreement, unwritten agreement |

**Reason:** Each biased word implies a particular sex or excludes one; the neutral replacements describe the person, job or action only.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. A bias-free word for 'foreman' is:
   A. Forewoman
   B. Supervisor or crew leader
   C. Boss man
   D. Head fellow
   Answer: B. 'Supervisor' or 'crew leader' is gender-neutral. (Key point: Bias-free: foreman)

2. Which is bias-free for 'Frenchmen'?
   A. Frenchwomen
   B. French males
   C. The French or French people
   D. French men and boys
   Answer: C. 'The French' or 'French people' includes everyone. (Key point: Bias-free: Frenchmen)

3. A bias-free replacement for 'gentleman's agreement' is:
   A. Lady's agreement
   B. Man's word
   C. Binding contract
   D. Informal or unwritten agreement
   Answer: D. The neutral terms describe the agreement itself. (Key point: Bias-free: gentleman's agreement)

4. Which neutral term replaces 'waitress'?
   A. Server or wait staff
   B. Waiter girl
   C. Hostess
   D. Serving woman
   Answer: A. 'Server' does not indicate sex. (Key point: Bias-free: waitress)

## Related in Communication English

- [Bias-free words (career girl, mailman)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Abias-free-words-career-girl) — Communication English, chapter 4
- [Interpret: slavery of man to nature](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-slavery-man-to-nature) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Choose correct words (grammar) 2068 Chaitra](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Achoose-correct-words-grammar-set-2068c) — Communication English, chapter 3
- [Interpret: free inquiry and education](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-prevention-free-inquiry-education) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Interpret: avoidable errors and use of words](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-avoidable-errors-in-reasoning) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Choose correct words (grammar) 2073 Shrawan](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Achoose-correct-words-grammar-set-2073s) — Communication English, chapter 3