any cunning linguists?

[infinite monkey]

ETA - barmaid is still okay here.
I have no probs with it, and it is still in general use.
Check back with me in a couple of yers time, I might have changed my mind.
I grew up with authoress, murderess, poetess etc
(and those were just my friends)

Barmaid is still in usage here too. I just never liked it. It seems like I should have my boobs hanging out and a really short skirt on, and be really ditzy.

I know, that's my hang-up and it's not a horrible word, I just couldn't stand to be called that. But I'd always get a laugh with "Hey, you don't call Dane 'barbutler' do you?" My customers loved to get me fired up.