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PaperclipPerfector  4mo ago (text post)   2983 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for June 29, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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John McWhorter suggested that we conjugate verbs differently depending on whether we're using the singular they or the plural they. They (Alice and Bob) go, they (Alice) goes. It's a good suggestion, doubt it'll catch on though.

Incidentally, yesterday I encountered the most annoying use of the singular they I've ever seen in real life. My colleague is going on maternity leave and I'm covering some work for her. On my annual review, my boss referred to this colleague as 'they'. As in 'Crowstep will cover his colleague's work, while they are on maternity leave'.

I sort of get it, in that 'colleague' is a gender neutral term. But this person has a name, which everyone reading this document knows, and she's going on maternity leave for God's sake!

"Excuse me boss, I have a question: How can I cover for Tina if I'm also on maternity leave?"

"Hilarious! You're fired."

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