oh look, a meme
Isn't that what social media is for?
I even saw this one here, rather than bringing it here from Facebook.
It/its: Not for people, possibly excepting some extremely kinky situations.
She/her: If we're in an Ann Leckie novel.
He/him: This is what I'm most used to.
They/them: Accelerating linguistic change towards more use of this for everyone is great.
Neopronouns: Fantastic in Swedish. Would love to see in strongly gendered languages generally; French plural pronouns are a particular problem. English doesn't need them.
Mr: Sure, though it sounds stiff. The New York Times insists on this kind of thing for everyone and it feels like an affectation.
Mx: My understanding is that this was intended for broader use than it has gotten, and that right now it specifically signifies non-binary in a way that I don't want to step on.
Miss: nope
Ms: Even Ann Leckie wouldn't call me this.
Ma'am: I haven't gotten this since I cut my hair.
Sir: This word is for signifying power imbalances. Occasionally that's useful; in particular coming from cops or other positions where the power imbalance is actually the other way, it's a small reminder not to abuse power, sort of like the washing of feet.
Mistress: How come this meme has only the feminine form of this?
Captain: Sure
Dr: I've occasionally had someone be confused that I don't have a PhD. Even if I did, though, using it would feel like pulling rank.
Pal, buddy, friend, comrade, folks, etc: Sure.
Dude, bro, bruh: These are great for expressing side-eye (and sometimes that's important).
Sis: Meme creator is reaching here. And not doing a good job: where are 'Doll' and 'Chick'?
Sib: More reaching. 'Bae' would be better. I don't think I've been called that but I'd probably be OK with it in the context that the meme creator is thinking of.
Boi: Mandy B gets to call me this.
Boy: Pretty context dependent.
Girl: Am I on a bright pink bus driving across the Australian Outback?
Lady/ladies: Am I in a club with that same bus parked outside?
Terms of Endearment (hon, sweetie, darling): When I use these, they're an insult. I'm prepared for the idea that someone else might use them unironically but I'd definitely check.
“Feminine” compliments (pretty, beautiful, etc): Only as praise for performative gender. I only very rarely perform anything marked as feminine but I'd be OK with these on those occasions.
“Masculine” compliments (handsome, etc): Likewise, except that I'd be surprised if it was for my baseline level of performance rather than a special occasion.
Neutral compliments (cute, attractive, cool, etc): These are like candy.
(
Comments |Comment on this)
I even saw this one here, rather than bringing it here from Facebook.
It/its: Not for people, possibly excepting some extremely kinky situations.
She/her: If we're in an Ann Leckie novel.
He/him: This is what I'm most used to.
They/them: Accelerating linguistic change towards more use of this for everyone is great.
Neopronouns: Fantastic in Swedish. Would love to see in strongly gendered languages generally; French plural pronouns are a particular problem. English doesn't need them.
Mr: Sure, though it sounds stiff. The New York Times insists on this kind of thing for everyone and it feels like an affectation.
Mx: My understanding is that this was intended for broader use than it has gotten, and that right now it specifically signifies non-binary in a way that I don't want to step on.
Miss: nope
Ms: Even Ann Leckie wouldn't call me this.
Ma'am: I haven't gotten this since I cut my hair.
Sir: This word is for signifying power imbalances. Occasionally that's useful; in particular coming from cops or other positions where the power imbalance is actually the other way, it's a small reminder not to abuse power, sort of like the washing of feet.
Mistress: How come this meme has only the feminine form of this?
Captain: Sure
Dr: I've occasionally had someone be confused that I don't have a PhD. Even if I did, though, using it would feel like pulling rank.
Pal, buddy, friend, comrade, folks, etc: Sure.
Dude, bro, bruh: These are great for expressing side-eye (and sometimes that's important).
Sis: Meme creator is reaching here. And not doing a good job: where are 'Doll' and 'Chick'?
Sib: More reaching. 'Bae' would be better. I don't think I've been called that but I'd probably be OK with it in the context that the meme creator is thinking of.
Boi: Mandy B gets to call me this.
Boy: Pretty context dependent.
Girl: Am I on a bright pink bus driving across the Australian Outback?
Lady/ladies: Am I in a club with that same bus parked outside?
Terms of Endearment (hon, sweetie, darling): When I use these, they're an insult. I'm prepared for the idea that someone else might use them unironically but I'd definitely check.
“Feminine” compliments (pretty, beautiful, etc): Only as praise for performative gender. I only very rarely perform anything marked as feminine but I'd be OK with these on those occasions.
“Masculine” compliments (handsome, etc): Likewise, except that I'd be surprised if it was for my baseline level of performance rather than a special occasion.
Neutral compliments (cute, attractive, cool, etc): These are like candy.
(
Comments |Comment on this)