Guess I’d better get used to being ‘they’? I wear pants. Skirts are a pain. And they never have pockets.
What a Maroon
Well, yes, “pants” is a plural form in English, and so it’s correct to say “I like these pants; they fit me well.” But while “skirt” is singular, as an object it takes the neuter (or perhaps more accurately “non-animate”) pronoun*: “I don’t like this skirt; it has no pockets.”
*Of course there are cases in English where we sometimes use a feminine pronoun for objects, such as ships and countries, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard that with “skirt”.
Sackbut
Well, yes, “pants” is a plural form in English
Usually. Some clothing purveyors use “pant” in the singular, at least some of the time.
An active pant made to keep up with busy schedules or light workouts.
(Yes, yes, they don’t use the apostrophe correctly in their name, they’ve written about that several times, but they are not alone in this usage of “pant”.)
OlliP
The video starts with “Outfits I wore to work and the PRONOUNS I USED THAT DAY” [emphasis added]
Sounds so self-expressy when said that way. Sound less so if it’s the pronouns I demanded others to use that day. Though it’s possible that she didn’t require others to use those pronouns, there aren’t all that many times the 3rd person pronoun is used to describe oneself.
Papito
I find it disappointing she didn’t display a top hat and tails and a Snidely Whiplash moustache and say “He.”
twiliter
Where is the pronoun changing room please? I need to try these on.
What a Maroon
@Sackbut,
Huh. I’d never heard that. New data point, thanks. (Though if I wanted to be pedantic, I’d point out that technically my point that “pants” is plural is still correct.)
Holms
I wonder if sex pests, rapists and the like will only grope her on the days she admits to being a she. Somehow though I think sex based ill-treatment will persist even through natty slacks.
iknklast
there aren’t all that many times the 3rd person pronoun is used to describe oneself.
Comments
9 responses to “Fiat lux”
Guess I’d better get used to being ‘they’? I wear pants. Skirts are a pain. And they never have pockets.
Well, yes, “pants” is a plural form in English, and so it’s correct to say “I like these pants; they fit me well.” But while “skirt” is singular, as an object it takes the neuter (or perhaps more accurately “non-animate”) pronoun*: “I don’t like this skirt; it has no pockets.”
*Of course there are cases in English where we sometimes use a feminine pronoun for objects, such as ships and countries, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard that with “skirt”.
Usually. Some clothing purveyors use “pant” in the singular, at least some of the time.
Lands’ End: Women’s Active 5 Pocket Pants
(Yes, yes, they don’t use the apostrophe correctly in their name, they’ve written about that several times, but they are not alone in this usage of “pant”.)
The video starts with “Outfits I wore to work and the PRONOUNS I USED THAT DAY” [emphasis added]
Sounds so self-expressy when said that way. Sound less so if it’s the pronouns I demanded others to use that day. Though it’s possible that she didn’t require others to use those pronouns, there aren’t all that many times the 3rd person pronoun is used to describe oneself.
I find it disappointing she didn’t display a top hat and tails and a Snidely Whiplash moustache and say “He.”
Where is the pronoun changing room please? I need to try these on.
@Sackbut,
Huh. I’d never heard that. New data point, thanks. (Though if I wanted to be pedantic, I’d point out that technically my point that “pants” is plural is still correct.)
I wonder if sex pests, rapists and the like will only grope her on the days she admits to being a she. Somehow though I think sex based ill-treatment will persist even through natty slacks.
Such as Donald Trump.