Thread (1 message) 1 message, 1 author, 2021-06-11

Re: [PATCH 1/4] Documentation: use singular they when appropriate

From: Junio C Hamano <hidden>
Date: 2021-06-11 00:16:16

Derrick Stolee [off-list ref] writes:
Singular "they" works the same as singular "you". For example:

	...means that _you are_ completely satisfied...

Singular "you" had a similar backlash in the 1660s as singular "they"
is having in this thread, but singular "you" has lasted (and we use
"thou" only to signify someone using old-timey language).

There is more of this in [1] and [2]

[1] https://public.oed.com/blog/a-brief-history-of-singular-they/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E2%80%93V_distinction#English
Thanks for references.  [1] was an amusing and illuminating read.

    ... Anyone who said thou and thee was seen as a fool and an
    idiot, or a Quaker, or at least hopelessly out of date.

    Singular you has become normal and unremarkable. Also
    unremarkable are the royal we and, in countries without a
    monarchy, the editorial we: first-person plurals used regularly
    as singulars and nobody calling anyone an idiot and a fool. And
    singular they is well on its way to being normal and
    unremarkable as well.
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