• gregorum@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    9 months ago

    i didn’t know that. i genuinely thought it was a new/contemporaneous usage.

    TIL

    • then_three_more@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      9 months ago

      It was more for an unknown individual than a known one, but extending it the way it has been is a very natural progression

      So an example where you don’t know the individual would be

      Somebody left their umbrella in the office. Could you please let them know where they can get it?

      The more modern extended usage that people seem so up in arms about would be

      Kate left their umbrella in the office. Could you please let them know where they can get it?

      • sailingbythelee@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        9 months ago

        Well done. I do occasionally find the singular “they” confusing, but not always, and I wasn’t quite sure why. Now I know. Thanks!