Smash Notes

Where Did the Singular Use of “they” Come From

at 30:24

From the episode: Language Rules!

Answer

It has had a presence in the English language for many, many centuries. Just because it exists doesn’t make it useful or correct. If you read literature in the 20th century, you will not see the singular use of they. “He” is used as the default pronoun, unless specified otherwise.

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Science Rules! with Bill Nye
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Language Rules!
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Bill Nye
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People

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