J. Mc Laughlin wrote:
Dear Group:

Words often communicate different things to different people - perhaps
because of their background. I would never describe a licensed radio
amateur as a "ham" unless his/her behavior justified that tag.

I have commercial licenses, have quite a bit of education, experience
and make my living in various aspects of radio, should I be offended
when referred to as an 'amateur'?

Obviously, each reader has a different background and thus their reaction to
the use of "ham" is expected to be different.

Context is a clue but comprehension is the responsibility of the reader.
If offense is taken but not intended whose problem should that be?

Let us not reject outright
the interpretation of others just because their interpretation is different.

That goes for the writer as well as the reader.

My advice: Start with context and comprehension, because there are more
worthy things to get upset about.

Of all the groups I interact with the radio crowd is the last I'd ever
thought would get all Politically Correct.