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http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/columns/missmanners/story/246250.html<snip>
Now that it appears that the United States may soon have a female president — if not with this election, surely with one in the near future — does it not seem reasonable that such a president could ask her mother, daughter, sister or other close female relative to serve as the first lady and spare her husband the need to take over the east wing of the White House?
Gentle Reader: Let’s begin with the admission that “first lady” is an unofficial and rather silly title. Miss Manners agrees with Jacqueline Kennedy, who said it made her sound like a horse.
<snip>
A female president would be the hostess at state occasions; she cannot designate another lady to preside and therefore outrank her socially. What she would need, in addition to the professionals already provided for putting on such events, is an understanding public that does not keep asking for her recipes and notions about flower-arranging.
And now to the husband. If anything is sillier than “first lady,” it is “first husband” (unless this is necessary to distinguish him from a marital successor also on the scene). He would be the host, and addressed simply by his name and “Mr.” or another honorific he held, such as general or governor.
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