"Boss" is simply deferential around here. Now of days it's used by white and black shirkers who don't want any responsibility for what they're doing. I have a few employees who are in Supervisory positions who still use it in reference and to me. I have many more in the same position who are more responsible and would never refer to me that way. I try to encourage the ones who call me "Boss" to step up to the other side and at least want to talk and act like an equal. The more they can and will do, the less I have to do for them and the more I can do.