So I’ve realized that in conversations I’ll use traditional terms for men as general terms for all genders, both singularly and for groups. I always mean it well, but I’ve been thinking that it’s not as inclusive to women/trans people.
For example I would say:
“What’s up guys?” “How’s it going man?” "Good job, my dude!” etc.
Replacing these terms with person, people, etc sounds awkward. Y’all works but sounds very southern US (nowhere near where I am located) so it sounds out of place.
So what are some better options?
Edit: thanks for all the answers peoples, I appreciate the honest ones and some of the funny ones.
The simplest approach is to just drop the usage of guys, man, etc. Folks for groups and mate for singular appeal to me when I do want to add one in between friends.
y’all
Y’all doesn’t get enough love. It is gender neutral and extremely versatile.
I agree. It’s the plural of “you” that should be the official standard, since it disambiguates “you.” It can even be broadened to include larger groups via “all y’all,” as in, not just y’all in talking to, but all y’all in the house.
It can replace “guys”, but not “man,” though.
The plural of you is yous or ye. In Ireland at least.
Vosotros agrees.
Or in German: euch
I’m under the impression that you pronounce it the same way this cat looks.
You know… that’s about right.
😂😂😂😂😂
I still wonder why English (a Germanic language) doesn’t have its own pronoun for the plural 2nd person like German (euch) or Dutch (jullie), I think it kinda helps with distinction between talking to one person and talking to multiple people.
The problem is… what pronoun should we choose? I think “yinz” would sound kinda cool, but nobody outside of a very specific spot in the US actually uses it (other than myself I guess).
It’s become the go-to in my company
Do you work with me? I’m in the US south and my EU colleagues love “y’all” and have started using it (ironically or not :) pretty often.
Warms my heart.
A LOT of my company is remote, but we are headquartered in Providence Rhode Island.
I have no hint of a Southern accent, but when I moved here “y’all” became almost an instant part of my vocabulary.
I can’t do it, I don’t want to sound like I’m from the South.
Take it from them!
you’uns
Or if you’re near Pittsburgh, “yinz” is the proper spelling/pronunciation.
And, for larger groups, all y’all.
Scott the Woz on Lemmy? :o
“Hey y’all, Scott here.”
For those not in the US south and afraid of being judged, “all” on its own is an option.
“Hi all” is unlikely to raise any eyebrows
Bingo. I use y’all for everything. Even the singular. It’s casual, neutral and relaxed.
yinz
yall sounds super trashy.
I use y’all a lot and im near Chicago
I’ve started using it and I’m Canadian.
I’ve started using it and I’m north of Canada … In Detroit
Did you know that you can be north of Canada … in California?
https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-75f887668c7f322a0dd1a226e128cea3
At a more northern latitude than part of Canada. Detroit is directly north of part of Canada
TIL
What in the world. They need to fix that on the next patch.
Me too, but I’m from 'round Minnesota so it’s more like ja’ll.
'round here “guys” has become gender neutral. But “folks” is my go-to.
Same. And i will die on the hill that dude is gender neutral. Dudette sounds like a mini dude, and no way am i calling into question any dudes “dudeness” on account of their gender.
What about El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing? 😁
Yes to receiving, no to giving. :p
My 8 yr old grand daughter calls everyone “bro”. Including her mom!
Thats my point! My cis woman SO? dude. My trans woman friend? dude. Shes no longer with us, but my very very princess like girl dog? fucking dude.
I feel like i def call my SO, bro, too.
I subscribe to the “Goodburger” school of thought on the subject: I’m a dude, you’re a dude, he’s a dude, she’s a dude, we’re all dudes.
Guy is actually from the proper name Guy, variant of Guido. It was originally used as a mild insult, refering to Guy Fawkes, infamous terrorist.
I think “guys” is perfectly gender neutral, in the same way “you idiots” is.
Haha love it.
In the words of Kel Mitchell:
I’m a dude, he’s a dude, she’s a dude, 'cause we’re all dudes.
I heard this comment
Doooooooude
“Citizens”. It has the added benefit of implying that you’re an authority figure and they’re in trouble.
Luckily service guarantees citizenship!
Comrades?
⚒️
“Fuckers” is gender-neutral.
But it excludes asexual people /s
All the alternatives make me cringe.
If someone is insulted that you use the term “guys” for a group, they’re not worth being friends with. That’s a lot of exhausting mental energy to deal with. Ignore 'em and move on.
Peeps
Dipshits
Matey/mateys, scallywags
As much as I so dearly love the word scallywag, it already has an extremely rigid place in my vocabulary as a cat-exclusive term.
Cheese bags.
“What’s up everypony?”
dawg, home skillet, my glip glops, folks,
hydrogenated oilYou can’t say glip-glop! That’s their word!
it’s really all about context
Meatbags.
Negative, I am a meat Popsicle.
Fellow bipedal meat-things.
Greetings, Programs!
