this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2023
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[โ€“] my_hat_stinks@programming.dev 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This argument has never made sense simply because of the fact that singular they/them has been in use for literally centuries. It's even reasonable to say it's always been in use considering singular they/them was in use in the 14th century and modern English formed around 14-17th. I can guarantee you have never batted an eye when you heard something like "someone called but they didn't leave a message".

There are only two differences with recent usage: people are less likely to assume genders so use they/them more freely; and people identifying specifically as they/them. The words themselves haven't really changed, they're just more common now. Opposition to singular they/them is almost entirely political.

[โ€“] gjoel@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago

singular they/them has been in use for literally centuries

Even if has been in use since forever, a more appropriate word can be introduced now.