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Singer Sam Smith Richard Shotwell/PA Images

Non-binary pronoun 'they' named word of the year by Merriam-Webster dictionary

More and more people are exercising their right to choose the pronoun by which they are identified.

THE PRONOUN “THEY” – used by non-binary people who identify as neither male nor female – has been named word of the year by US dictionary Merriam-Webster.

In the English language, more and more people are exercising their right to choose the pronoun by which they are identified, regardless of their sex at birth – such as “they” instead of “she” or “he.”

Two months ago, the dictionary added the word “they” as a non-binary pronoun that can refer to just one person.

“There’s no doubt that its use is established in the English language, which is why it was added to the Merriam-Webster.com dictionary this past September,” the website said, adding that searches for “they” jumped 313% in a year.

Nonbinary people are enjoying increased representation on television and in pop culture. Among them is British artist Sam Smith, who recently revealed a preference for “they/them” pronouns “after a lifetime of being at war with my gender.”

Tech giant Apple has added “neutral” emojis that don’t distinguish between gender to the latest version of its operating system.

Runners-up for word of the year included “quid pro quo,” “impeach” and “crawdad,” the latter a word in the title of Delia Evans best-selling novel, “Where the Crawdads Sing.”

- © AFP 2019

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    Mute Sean Barry
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    Nov 12th 2014, 4:35 PM

    No mention of the crazy high variable rates they are charging their mortgage holders

    102
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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
    Favourite Sheik Yahbouti
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    Nov 12th 2014, 6:53 PM

    Meanwhile, we wait with bated breath to find out who IS entitled to investigate tax evasion by the great and the good. You couldn’t make it up.

    39
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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 12th 2014, 6:49 PM

    This bank has seen more English bankers moved across the sea than former I.R.A men across the border .
    It seems to me “banksters” practice relocation as much as any other secretive organisations – let’s hope it’s not for the same reason !

    26
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    Mute richard curry
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    Nov 12th 2014, 8:57 PM

    Stealing from the poor with crazy interest rates.

    25
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
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    Nov 13th 2014, 1:01 PM

    Poor people don’t buy houses.

    1
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Nov 12th 2014, 6:44 PM

    Might we expect a pension?

    20
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    Mute D is Illusioned
    Favourite D is Illusioned
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    Nov 12th 2014, 8:26 PM

    P T S B the Bank appointed by this Government to take over the running of the former Credit Union in NEWBRIDGE Co. Kildare. A town now without a Credit Union and whose residents are about to lose possession of the building they paid for to the D S P. Without a cent being reimbursed to the members of the former Credit Union, and still no answers from its last Board of Directors.

    17
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
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    Nov 13th 2014, 1:02 PM

    If they wanted to keep their credit union the members should have run it better.

    3
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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 12th 2014, 4:25 PM

    Reinhart and Rogoff must have moved into accountancy since the Herndon collision !
    Nice to see they may have got a job of Mr. British Cabinet adviser – if they did that is !

    11
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    Mute Traolach O'Breasail
    Favourite Traolach O'Breasail
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    Nov 12th 2014, 10:29 PM

    Why are’nt the board of TSB in jail, did they not have money planted in Anglo’s accounts to make the Bank look solvent????

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    Mute Dermot O'Reilly
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    Nov 14th 2014, 12:05 PM

    I am aware of a person who had a deposit if €150,000 with TSB with a fixed rate of 2% for 15 months.

    The same person had an opportunity to buy an apartment for €65,000 with a rent of €7,200 PA.

    TSB were asked for a loan of €65,000 secured by the deposit of €150,000 and they quoted a rate of interest of 7.5% for the loan a surplus of 5.5% over the cost of funds.

    This is usury!

    Does the Central Bank of Ireland have any control over Banks or is it all a joke?

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    Mute Trevor Beale
    Favourite Trevor Beale
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    Nov 12th 2014, 9:29 PM

    Just don’t take my free banking!!

    2
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