Use of beck and call

[Unregistered]

Is the term "be at my beck and call" a derogatory term?

[Casiopea]

Is the term "be at my beck and call" a derogatory term?

To be at someone's beck and call means, to comply with any wish, request or command. "beck" is a hand gesture; it's used to call someone towards you. To my knowledge, "beck and call" is not derogatory, but to be at someone's beck and call has a positive and negative meaning.

Examples
Positive: If you don't feel well by tomorrow, call me. I am at your beck and call.
=> It's my choice to comply to your wishes, requests, commands.

-My sister thinks she's the boss of me. She thinks I'm at her every beck and call.
=> It's not my choice to comply to my sister's wishes, requests, commands.