Comment on [deleted]
then_three_more@lemmy.world 8 months ago
It’s not though. Singular they goes back to middle English (14th century) it was just grammar Nazis in the 18th century that tried to stamp it out.
Comment on [deleted]
then_three_more@lemmy.world 8 months ago
It’s not though. Singular they goes back to middle English (14th century) it was just grammar Nazis in the 18th century that tried to stamp it out.
gregorum@lemm.ee 7 months ago
i didn’t know that. i genuinely thought it was a new/contemporaneous usage.
TIL
then_three_more@lemmy.world 7 months ago
It was more for an unknown individual than a known one, but extending it the way it has been is a very natural progression
So an example where you don’t know the individual would be
Somebody left their umbrella in the office. Could you please let them know where they can get it?
The more modern extended usage that people seem so up in arms about would be
Kate left their umbrella in the office. Could you please let them know where they can get it?
sailingbythelee@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Well done. I do occasionally find the singular “they” confusing, but not always, and I wasn’t quite sure why. Now I know. Thanks!