The delivery, tone and context really does influence any word. I happily refer to myself and my fellow WL's as whores, however it is said with kindness. Would I appreciate it coming from a client? If it was a regular client and said in jest with a kind delivery I wouldn't take offense. Though it is rather difficult to ruffle my feathers.
Prostitute is just another label describing what we do. There are many people I imagine who think because we are paid for sex we must therefore be junkies, immoral, poorly educated etc. Therefore the stereotyping of our profession taints this label.
Sex worker best describes what we do.
Hooker has never been one of my favorite terms, as I relate it to street walkers.
Escort, Courtesan and companion are certainly my preferred labels.
However, call me what you will; hooker, whore, escort, prostitute, working lady, courtesan, companion, gigolo. They are all just labels for what I do. Not who I am.