Odd thought

[avevale_intelligencer]

Is it strange that people of all genders are apt to decry the use of "man" to mean "human," because it's sexist, but that we think nothing at all of addressing our friends indiscriminately as "you guys"? Or that if I addressed my compadres as "you gals" I would definitely be on the receiving end of some strange looks? (Not that I plan to, you understand...)

Comments

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

If someone addresses me as "you guys", I object. The use of "guy" to be gender-neutral is purely USAian, as far as I'm aware.
Please don't address me as a badly pronounced version of "girl", either - I'm an adult.

You guys

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

I am not one who thinks nothing of addressing our friends as "you guys" without considering the genders involved.

I also wouldn't use "you gals" ... "a night on the town with the girls/the guys" is an accepted cliche.

There are strange anomalies in English, moreso when you try to add political correctness.

Ladies and gentlemen ... "Ladies" is sometimes regarded with antipathy as some sort of pedestal or other distancing that "women" doesn't have as a connotation.

"The boy(s) done good" is fine for a footballer to say, hardly ever do they say "the men played well" or "the gentlemen achieved an adequate level of accomplishment".

Having a "girly night in" is ok for women to say. But otherwise "girly" as an adjective implies a lack of practicality, effectiveness and perhaps too much pink and lace.

And I'm going to stay away from "lads" (and "ladettes" ... shudder)

Dave Barry has written a lovely book on a Guide to Guys, and explaining the difference (to him) in American use between a "man" and a "guy" (basically, guys do stupid things, often with trucks, power tools, or sports equipment ... and are effectively men who never matured)

Re: You guys

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

In US-English, "dudes" is rapidly becoming a gender-neutral term among the younger set.

Re: You guys

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

" "Ladies" is sometimes regarded with antipathy as some sort of pedestal or other distancing that "women" doesn't have as a connotation." - consider the word "lady-like" and you'll see why. All the actions that aren't "lady-like" are about being independent, effective, and in control.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

You'd maybe prefer "y'all" and "all y'all"? :-P