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It depends on how the word is used. "You guys" is very different, for instance, than just "guys". As it happens, that's the usage in the title of this thread.
by nilkn 8y ago
It depends on how the word is used. "You guys" is very different, for instance, than just "guys". As it happens, that's the usage in the title of this thread.
I'm not saying there's no reason to reconsider language choices. Frankly, I agree overall that this phrase and its derivatives should probably be slowly retired, if only to avoid the occasional confusion. My point is only that even in colloquial usage there are patterns involving "guys" that are clearly gender-neutral at this point and have been for decades.
- breischl 8y ago>My point is only that even in colloquial usage there are patterns involving "guys" that are clearly gender-neutral at this point and have been for decades. Yeah, that's fair. I think we can agree that the meaning is ambiguous. TBH I just figure that "folks" is a change that might, in some cases, make some people feel more welcome, at basically no expense in time, effort or clarity. Seems like a decent cost/benefit to me. But I don't get up in arms about it - this thread notwithstanding. ;) And now I'm tired of talking about this. :)