# What is a "Congressman?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2008, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326 "2008-03-22T09:56:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/1 "2008-03-22T09:56:50Z")
What exactly is an American politician presented as “Congressman John Doe?” Since Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, I guess he could be either a Senator or a Representative; yet it is my impression that Senators are more common to be referred to as such, so it could be that a “Congressman” is more likely to be a member of the House. IS there any common practice on this? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/2 "2008-03-22T11:27:27Z")
Your impression is accurate. “Congressman XYZ” is almost always a member of the House. Senators are called “Senator XYZ” and I don’t think I have ever heard a Senator called “Congressman.” But it would be technically correct, as you point out. ---
**Author:** ![Neptunian\_Slug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce7236/32.png) [@Neptunian\_Slug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neptunian_Slug)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/3 "2008-03-22T12:22:50Z")
[QUOTE=Schnitte] What exactly is an American politician presented as “Congressman John Doe?” Since Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, I guess he could be either a Senator or a Representative; yet it is my impression that Senators are more common to be referred to as such, so it could be that a “Congressman” is more likely to be a member of the House. IS there any common practice on this? [/QUOTE] It’s a member of the House of Representatives. I am not sure how this form of address originated but its as good as “Representative X”. Yes Senators and Representatives are all “members of the Congress” and therefore “Congressmen” or “Congresswomen”. You just wouldn’t call a Senator “Congressman” unless you want to be rebuked by some junior aide or the Senator. With a couple of them, you might get a punch in the nose. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/4 "2008-03-22T12:23:35Z")
Similarly, in the U.K. and in Canada, a member of the House of Commons is always referred to as a Member of Parliament, or M.P. Technically, members of the House of Lords (in the U.K.) or of the Senate (in Canada) are also members of Parliament, but the term M.P. is used pretty much exclusively for members of the Commons. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/5 "2008-03-22T12:25:20Z")
Yes, usage is inconsistent. “Congress” means both houses of the federal legislature, but “Congressman” means a member of the House of Representatives - unless the context is both houses, and then it includes the members of both collectively. When referring to a specific person, the title “Representative” for a House member is more common. If an abbreviation for a title is needed, it’s always “Rep.” or “Sen.”. At least there’s no room for confusion, even of gender, with “Senator”. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/6 "2008-03-22T13:11:38Z")
Serious Part A _Houseman_ is the male version of the term for a female household cleaning servant, _Housemaid_. So, that term was never used. Other BTW–I prefer the gender-neutral term, “Congress-critter”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/7 "2008-03-22T13:14:32Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] At least there’s no room for confusion, even of gender, with “Senator”. [/QUOTE] Well, yes and no. Technically, -or is a masculine ending. The equivalent feminine form would be Senatrix, perhaps? Senatrix Clinton. I like that. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/8 "2008-03-22T13:18:51Z")
now, why does that terminology make me think of Hilary in leather… ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/9 "2008-03-22T15:23:46Z")
[QUOTE=DSYoungEsq] Well, yes and no. Technically, -or is a masculine ending. [/QUOTE] Ain’t so in English, you heathen furriner. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/10 "2008-03-22T15:41:47Z")
I believe there was discussion when Margaret Chase Smith was elected senator from Maine, as to whether she was to be titled “senator”, or something with a feminine ending (and no, she wasn’t the first woman to serve in the US senate, but she was probably the first one to achieve a high enough profile for the question to come up in the national press). The consensus reached was that “senator” applied to both genders. “Congressman” has always created clumsiness wrt gender, and is part of the reason “representative” has become more prevalent. When speaking informally, “congresscritter” is more satisfying to use, but, for some reason, those particular denizens of the Washington zoo seem to bridle at being so addressed … ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/11 "2008-03-22T16:25:18Z")
[QUOTE=DSYoungEsq] Well, yes and no. Technically, -or is a masculine ending. The equivalent feminine form would be Senatrix, perhaps? [/QUOTE] Not in English, but in French we have _madame la sénatrice L’Hervieux-Payette_. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/12 "2008-03-22T18:39:57Z")
I recall stories about the appointment of the first female cabinet member in Spain requiring their version of the Academy to declare that “La Ministra” was acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/13 "2008-03-22T20:11:07Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] now, why does that terminology make me think of Hilary in leather… [/QUOTE] Well, not for most of the year. But on Stockwell Day… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/14 "2008-03-22T20:16:30Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Ain’t so in English, you heathen furriner. [/QUOTE] 😛😛 Um, try executor/executrix? Or we can ask [Merriam-Webster Online](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/-trix). 😉 Note the part about “Middle English.” I’ve thought of a better one that Senatrix Clinton: Senatrix Boxer. REALLY fits. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/15 "2008-03-22T21:05:54Z")
[QUOTE=DSYoungEsq] Note the part about “Middle English.” [/QUOTE] Note the part about “from Latin.” 🙂 Pedants, snobs, and general troublemakers keep trying to turn English into Latin. It doesn’t stick. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/16 "2008-03-22T21:19:47Z")
[QUOTE=DSYoungEsq] Um, try executor/executrix? [/quote] Thath’s the only example still extant that I know of, “aviatrix” having been left behind us. Even “actor” can be gender-nonspecific now. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/17 "2008-03-22T21:44:40Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] I recall stories about the appointment of the first female cabinet member in Spain requiring their version of the Academy to declare that “La Ministra” was acceptable. [/QUOTE] France and Quebec have taken opposite approachs to this problem. In France women are simple refered to with the masculine form (madam le president) while Quebecers either use female forms that were once used to apply to the wife of a man so titled. So women in Quebec use the eqivalent of terms like; doctress, ambassadress, presidentess, etc. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/18 "2008-03-22T22:02:41Z")
“Congressman” also gets around the confusion that might arise as to whether the critter in question was a member of the US Congress or some state legislature. Several states have a “House of Representatives.” ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/19 "2008-03-22T23:24:48Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Note the part about “from Latin.” 🙂 Pedants, snobs, and general troublemakers keep trying to turn English into Latin. It doesn’t stick. [/QUOTE] Um, most of the current English language is the result of Latin or French roots. Very little of it is good old Anglo-Saxon. If you want to eliminate all remnants of what we still use from Latin forms, I suppose you don’t like octopi? 😃 Like it or not, -tor still has male connotations, there are words we use (I’ve pointed out two of them) that still take the -trix ending for females, and that’s part of English. Maybe not for much longer, but still there. \ 😛 On Edit: I thought I had given two of them. Guess I forgot to throw out aviatrix, which, while not in common useage, is still a valid term. We just don’t call men aviators anymore. (Pilot is sooooooo boring by comparison!) ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326/20 "2008-03-22T23:38:37Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] Thath’s the only example still extant that I know of, “aviatrix” having been left behind us. Even “actor” can be gender-nonspecific now. [/QUOTE] Dominatrix is still in frequent use in, er, certain circles. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-congressman/442326.md?page=2)