4 ms·

Sorry. I removed the complaint. Thanks for the link. I'll note this ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they#Trend_to_prescription_of_generic_he_from_1

Sorry. I removed the complaint. Thanks for the link. I'll note this ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they#Trend_to_prescription_of_generic_he_from_19th_century https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they#Trend_to_prescri... reports that "In spite of continuous attempts on the part of educationalists to proscribe singular they in favour of he, its use remained widespread, and the advice was largely ignored".

dragonwriter 11y ago
> "In spite of continuous attempts on the part of educationalists to proscribe singular they in favour of he, its use remained widespread, and the advice was largely ignored". > So, it appears that "they" is the imposition, "he" is the widespread use. I think you are confusing the word "proscribe" with the sounds-and-looks-very-similar-but-means-almost-exactly-the-opposite "prescribe". proscribe: forbid, especially by law; denounce or condemn prescribe: recommend (a substance or action) as something beneficial; state authoritatively or as a rule that (an action or procedure) should be carried out.
- tosseraccount 11y ago
  dang. you're right. mea culpa.