+142 When a writer uses masculine words as a generalization (he, him, man), our minds can quickly grasp through context that the writer means "any given person". But when, for no apparent reason, a writer tries to pull off feminine words as a generalization (she, her, woman) it is very hard to picture the subject as anyone but a woman, amirite?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I've been taught to use "his or her" now. Is this "his or her" thing a new thing?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Yeah, we were just taught to do that too in my class.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Well, it's because "him" can refer to anyone of unspecified gender, but "her" is only for females.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Ah, yes. Men are generic, women are special. xDD Just look at toilet doors: men are people, women are people in skirts.

by Anonymous 11 years ago