Chapter 3 Inoffensive Writing
155
non-sexist language part 3
Refer to members of both sexes by parallel terms, names, or titles.
Instead of "man and wife," say HUSBAND and WIFE.
Instead of "men and girls," say MEN and WOMEN, BOYS and
GIRLS.
Instead of "men and ladies," say MEN and WOMEN, LADIES and
GENTLEMEN.
Remember a lifetime ago when hurricanes were identified with only
women's names? (If you don't, your mother does.)
The National Weather Service now uses both women's and men's
names.
A hurricane is an "it," whatever its name.
Some people still refer to ships and boats, the moon, cars, musical
instruments (to name a few) with the pronoun "she."
Don't you be one of them, at least on the air.
An inanimate object is an "it."
By the way, Mrs. B learned in The American Heritage Book of
English Usage that word "feminism" first appeared in print in 1851.
"Feminist," as an adjective, first appeared in 1894.
"Feminist," as a noun, was first recorded in print in 1904.
Yes, originally, "feminist" referred only to women supporters of
women's rights.
Now it refers to a person of either sex.
