KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR \ Annie's Mailbox Readers supply 'names' for man who has an affair



Dear Annie: You recently printed a letter from "Equal Rights in Michigan." She said a woman who has an affair with a married man is called a "mistress," but what do you call a man who has an affair with a married woman?
The English language is full of terms that are suitable. What immediately pops to mind are words like stupid, idiot, moron and fool, although lowlife and jerk also would be appropriate. Faithful in Camarillo, Calif. (and Everywhere Else)
Dear Camarillo: We heard from quite a number of readers with their own suggestions. Unfortunately, many of them were not fit to print in a family newspaper. Here are the ones we could use. Take your pick, folks:
From Niskayuna, N.Y.: If the woman is called a mistress, I propose that a man be referred to as a mattress.
Glenville, N.Y.: How about moron, from the ancient Greek, meaning, "Dude, how stupid are you?"
On the Internet: I suggest "dinkerboy."
Burlington, Mass.: A male version of a mistress? I have one -- jackass.
New York: If he also is married, he is called an adulterer. If he is single, he is called a fornicator. These terms also apply to a woman.
Midwest: May I suggest "in danger"?
East Coast: I personally like "S.S.P." This stands for Scum-Sucking Pig.
Pennsylvania: Why should we be thinking of snazzy names for such reprehensible characters? Rat and heel work nicely already.
North Carolina: Anyone having an affair with a married person is called a "homewrecker."
Chicago: My term is based on the concept of being cuckolded, and it will reflect badly on or even humiliate the man. I'd call him a "cuckoldoodle."
Louisville, Ky.: What do you call a man who has an affair with a married woman? Well, if you knew my wife, it would be "broke."
Flushing, Mich.: I think he should be called a "bimbeau."
Shreveport, La.: I prefer vitiator, which means one who makes a thing faulty, contaminates, invalidates, spoils, etc.
Houston: How about "misteress"?
Nashville, Tenn.: I first thought of the word gigolo. So I looked it up in the dictionary and there it was -- right between "giggle" and "Gila monster." Seems right.
Carthage, Mo.: My suggestion is "messter."
Hurricane, W.Va.: What call do we a man who has an affair with a married woman? If she's my wife, you can call him "badly beaten."
Dear Annie: I work in a convenience store and am having a problem with our manager. He thinks it's a good idea to publicly post information on all of the employees regarding shortages in cash drawers, how many times we have been late, how many customers have left without purchasing anything, and so on.
Shouldn't this information be between only the management and the employee involved? Is there anything we can do? Ocala, Fla.
Dear Ocala: The manager is fostering poor morale and creating an unpleasant work atmosphere by using such humiliating tactics. You and your co-workers can try approaching him and explaining why embarrassing the employees is bad for business. However, if that doesn't help, take your case to the owner.
XE-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@com-cast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox™, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, Ill. 60611.
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