In reply to Martin.

"I had never thought of it in that terms until this."

Precisely. Politicising previously mundane speech and polarising based upon it is not a step forward. Where will it end?

If "master" is actually a coded, approving reference to the race-based slavery of 19th century America, what will this say about all those who continue to use the word after a suitable period of time to educate them has passed and they haven't repented?