[COBOL2Java]

Actually, the term "master" could legitimately refer to the individual in charge of navigation, at least under British naval nomenclature.

Oooh, can't have that. Remember the Left Coast Town Council which objected to computer servers being tagged "master" and "slave"? Gotta be politically correct, don-cha know.

[Mr. Bird]

LOL! Speaking of PC, if a woman held the title, would it be ship's mistress, and if so, since ships are female, would they both be lesbians? Have I had enough to drink yet?