Why do we put ress at the end of some words, like actress, mayoress and murderess, but not for others like doctress, accountantress, or teacheress?

Question

Why do we put ress at the end of some words, like actress, mayoress and murderess, but not for others like doctress, accountantress, or teacheress?

In: 12609

Answer 1

In the 1970s I subscribed to “Horseman” magazine. There was a brief (write in) discussion about the wisdom of changing the name to “Horsewoman” since a majority of subscribers were, in fact, women. Of course the suggestion never got off the ground. One comment summed it all up, “Individually some of us may be horsewomen, but collectively we are all horsemen.”