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"Man" is an ancient word that means both "human" and "male human" depending on context. The former usage actually predates the latter.
by concordDance 4y ago
"Man" is an ancient word that means both "human" and "male human" depending on context. The former usage actually predates the latter.
- etage3 4y agoI think itake understands this and was making a point (an important one at that). Douglas R. Hofstadter made the same point (perhaps more eloquently) in "A Person Paper on Purity in Language"[0], which might be another avenue if you wish to understand what the parent comment was pointing at. [0]https://www.angelfire.com/rebellion/personpaper/ https://www.angelfire.com/rebellion/personpaper/
- Dylan16807 4y agoIt is not an important point in a context like "man-years".
- itake 4y ago
- reportgunner 4y agoSame reason you used "women" and not "other people".