Posted by Prue Eckett on February 24, 2002 at 20:19:29 from 203.96.111.202:
In Reply to: Male chauvinism posted by Michael on February 24, 2002 at 19:09:12:
Sadly it was done under the right of males to be given first importance(such as is practised by the English royalty). Thus John is first in the Walker family after his father, and then Roger. If neither of them are available, then it is the next in line. Mrs Walker and Susan not being available, Titty would be the one the pigeon was addressed to. It has nothing to do with Nancy being kind, and everything to do with societal mores.
I believe there is a word describing the practise - primograviure(sp) or similar(my dictionary is missing).