3 ms·

Just because I think words can have different meanings by no means implies that I think any meaning of any word is valid. So my correct, formally acceptable use

by benaiah 13y ago

Just because I think words can have different meanings by no means implies that I think any meaning of any word is valid. So my correct, formally acceptable use of "he" implies nothing about my opinions on the slang, informal derogatory use of "gay". That's nonsensical. Again, you seem to be missing the point. I'm not using non-gender-neutral pronouns. "He" is gender neutral, and there is plenty of evidence supporting that. I agree: gender neutral pronouns are important. They're necessary for using the language. "He" is one gender-neutral option among others. That's why it's use by the OP was perfectly acceptable. I'm not sure why you think that riddle even resembles relevancy, but it doesn't. There's no incorrect language here, all there is an oversensitive overreaction to a normal , unoffensive, formal, well-used idiom. I immediately grasp that the doctor is the patient's mother. Using "he" is not going to change that. Just give it a rest. You're getting pretty desperate at this point.

bjourne 13y ago
"Gay" as a derogatory term is common in English. You can find it in most dictionaries and it is neither slang nor "informal" (whatever that means). Here is the thing. If you can accept that "gay" as a derogatory term is incorrect, despite it being present in dictionaries then it's a small step to question other word usages in dictionaries. It allows you to think for yourself instead of just parroting "he is gender neutral" because you read it in a book.
- Legendre 13y ago
  It's not "incorrect". You just don't like it. There's a fundamental difference. > It allows you to think for yourself instead of just parroting "he is gender neutral" because you read it in a book. That would be meaningful if English grammar was some kind of performance art. Instead, it's a fact that must be learned through study - yes, by reading books that detail what the rules of the grammar actually are. If the established grammar says that "he" can be a gender-neutral pronoun then it can be a gender neutral pronoun. It's not a matter of opinion. It's not up to you to be, like, independent of The Man's English, or whatever.

by benaiah 13y ago

bjourne 13y ago

"Gay" as a derogatory term is common in English. You can find it in most dictionaries and it is neither slang nor "informal" (whatever that means). Here is the thing. If you can accept that "gay" as a derogatory term is incorrect, despite it being present in dictionaries then it's a small step to question other word usages in dictionaries. It allows you to think for yourself instead of just parroting "he is gender neutral" because you read it in a book.

Legendre 13y ago
It's not "incorrect". You just don't like it. There's a fundamental difference. > It allows you to think for yourself instead of just parroting "he is gender neutral" because you read it in a book. That would be meaningful if English grammar was some kind of performance art. Instead, it's a fact that must be learned through study - yes, by reading books that detail what the rules of the grammar actually are. If the established grammar says that "he" can be a gender-neutral pronoun then it can be a gender neutral pronoun. It's not a matter of opinion. It's not up to you to be, like, independent of The Man's English, or whatever.