Image source: Mental Floss
As a former English lit major and long-time editor, I've met my share of linguistics pedants. Today is not their day. But for everyone else who appreciates the natural evolution of language, rejoice! Singular "they" was just named 2015's Word of the Year.
Each year, more than 200 linguists from the American Dialect Society gather to choose the Word of the Year. Last Friday, the group chose singular "they" as the winner, ultimately rejecting other frontrunners like "on fleek," "thanks, Obama," and "ammosexual."
The Word of the Year is meant to encapsulate the most significant word or term of the year and it has often carried social or political significance. Last year, for instance, the linguists chose #blacklivesmatter, and in 2011, they chose "occupy," in reference to Occupy Wall Street.
This year's choice reflects the movement away from the clunky, excessively gendered terminology of "he or she" to allow for "they." While already in use in most mainstream publications, singular "they" rejects rigid gender constructs and embraces a fluid gender spectrum.
