'They' Is Irritating Me Immensely

[barry1010]

Police appeal for missing person shows a photo of a 25 year old 'manly' man named Alec. Police say they need to know that 'they' are okay.

One man is missing. Stop mangling language 😡

[barry1010]

Ellipsis, I was referring to West Midlands Police. 

[Khandro]

In the 2021 census people were asked, 'Is the gender you identify with the same as the sex you were registered with at birth?

0.1% said they were born female but are now male.

0.1% said they were born male but are now female.

0.06% said they were 'non-binary'

Source: Office of National Statistics

Does it not appear that we are hearing an enormous amount of fuss from such a tiny proportion of the population?

 

[naomi24]

Not only are we hearing it, we're expected to join in and support the lies.

[Old_Geezer]

Refusing to use someone's preferred pronoun is not rude nor is it ignorant, it is simply not pandering to some egotistic demand. Trying to get normal folk to refer to you as you want/demand is rude, ignorant, and narcissistic.

[douglas9401]

People who prefer 'they' are no worse than those who want to be identified as 'infallible'.

[Old_Geezer]

Never known anyone wanting "infallible" as a pronoun. But no doubt someone can find them if searched for.

[THECORBYLOON]

TORATORATORA, "No one has the right to dictate language. He/she end of"

Is, "He/she end of" not your dictating language?

[Atheist]

TTT; "it's ridiculous, preferred pronouns my April. No one has the right to dictate language. He/she end of."

Except for TTT!

[Old_Geezer]

I suspect T³ is suggesting that only accepted official use should be allowed. Which leads us to the question as to who is the authority now, a n who should be the authority ?

Dictionary compilers seem all too keen to include temporary slang nonsense so they ought not be allowed to make the decisions.  But we need someone to stop the obvious chaos that has been occuring for ages now.

Errors should never be excused by claiming language is a living evolving thing. It needs majority agreement or words become devalued as it's claimed meaning becomes expanded further and further, such that it approaches meaning everything, and consequently nothing.

[Old_Geezer]

...and who...

[naomi24]

It's a senseless argument.  Hes are not shes or theys.  They are hes.  

[brainiac]

Expect a lot more of this nonsense if/when Starmer is in charge.  My heart sinks.

[puzzled54]

But why have actors/actresses etc now been given the male gender?

[ToraToraTora]

OG: "I suspect T³ is suggesting that only accepted official use should be allowed." - well I'm really just quoting what the correct English is, I'm not dictating anything.

[Gromit]

Glad to report that they have beeen found and they are safe and well. The Policeman/Policewaman who found Alec should be congratulated. They deserve a medal.

[Cloverjo]

'They' has always been used when sex is unknown. Eg. 'See your GP and ask them for (whatever)'. 
'The manager used their status to (whatever)'.

I agree it grates when the sex is known but people still use 'they' in those cases.

I'm reminded of Paloma Faith when describing her morning routine with her baby. 'I change their nappy and give them their breakfast'. I thought 'Oh, has she had twins?'. No, it was one baby. A girl, as it was later revealed. Why not say 'she/her'?

[Khandro]

puzzled: //But why have actors/actresses etc now been given the male gender?//

There was a time when females on the stage were called actresses, and those making sculpture were called sculptresses etc. but they didn't like that & somehow thought it was making them sound second-rate, so they preferred to be called actors and sculptors.

Now I don't know what they want ..... in fact I don't know what anybody wants any more !! 😬

[douglas9401]

Will Beatrix now be Beator?

Asking for a proprietrix.

[Cloverjo]

It seems that younger female actors refer to themselves 'actual plural!' as actors, but Joan Collins eg is 'an actress'. 

[Cloverjo]

Female comedians used to be called 'comediennes' back in the 70s and before, but that sounds so old-fashioned and sexist now.