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The point is that it's not an unknown, made up word that came from nowhere. It has been used in the English language for hundreds of years. It's not confusing t
by munmaek 7y ago
The point is that it's not an unknown, made up word that came from nowhere. It has been used in the English language for hundreds of years. It's not confusing to use because one can infer from context.
- jfk13 7y agoIndeed, it has. But not universally; its use has primarily been limited to in certain contexts. To quote from the OED's definition of "they": "2. In anaphoric reference to a singular noun or pronoun of undetermined gender: he or she." OK, it certainly recognises a singular usage... "Especially in relation to a noun phrase involving one of the indefinite determiners or pronouns any, each, every, no, some, anybody, anyone, etc." Aha - so this usage is not (historically, at least) equally well established for all contexts. Indeed, the entry goes on to note that: "This use has sometimes been considered erroneous." So it's hardly surprising if some people feel a bit uncomfortable being told they should be embracing it more widely.