Merriam-Webster declares 'they' its 2019 word of the year

[Murph]

Merriam-Webster declares 'they' its 2019 word of the year


NEW YORK (AP) — A common but increasingly mighty and very busy little word, “they,” has an accolade all its own.

The language mavens at Merriam-Webster have declared the personal pronoun their word of the year based on a 313 percent increase in look-ups on the company's search site, Merriam-Webster.com, this year when compared with 2018.

“I have to say it's surprising to me,” said Peter Sokolowski, a lexicographer and Merriam-Webster's editor at large, ahead of Tuesday's announcement. “It's a word we all know and love. So many people were talking about this word.”

www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/merriam-webster-declares-2019-word-051740663.html

Never would have "thunked: it...

[Keith]

I'm surprised 'they' chose it...

[Murph]

"they" did...on Fox radio "they" said it is because of the gender neutral movement..."they" don't want to designate a gender so "they" use "they."

Heard that a lady is getting criticized social media for calling Santa "Father Christmas" because of the current fashion of not designating a gender.

One reply said...if that is so, then how do you address Mrs. Santa...

[Keith]

Exactly!