this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
180 points (78.7% liked)

Asklemmy

43810 readers
1 users here now

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy πŸ”

If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de~

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
 

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 159 points 2 years ago (9 children)
[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 63 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Y'all doesn't get enough love. It is gender neutral and extremely versatile.

[–] sxan@midwest.social 17 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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.

[–] jungle@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago

The plural of you is yous or ye. In Ireland at least.

[–] Purplexingg@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I can't do it, I don't want to sound like I'm from the South.

[–] Zitronensaft@feddit.de 4 points 2 years ago

If everyone starts using it, it won’t sound southern any more. C’mon, you know you want to.

[–] hglman@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago

Take it from them!

[–] xmunk@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] azimir@lemmy.ml 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 years ago

I'm under the impression that you pronounce it the same way this cat looks.

[–] Pulptastic@midwest.social 9 points 2 years ago (2 children)
[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Youse if you’re a Geordie.

[–] BlueEther@no.lastname.nz 2 points 2 years ago

further down under you may hear "hey, yous lot..."

[–] survivalmachine@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

Or if you're near Pittsburgh, "yinz" is the proper spelling/pronunciation.

[–] TheGiantKorean@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago

And, for larger groups, all y'all.

[–] ieightpi@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I use y'all a lot and im near Chicago

[–] Cagi@lemmy.ca 15 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

I've started using it and I'm Canadian.

[–] greenhorn@lemm.ee 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I've started using it and I'm north of Canada ... In Detroit

[–] azimir@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)
[–] greenhorn@lemm.ee 6 points 2 years ago

At a more northern latitude than part of Canada. Detroit is directly north of part of Canada

What in the world. They need to fix that on the next patch.

[–] Nemo@midwest.social 1 points 2 years ago

Me too, but I'm from 'round Minnesota so it's more like ja'll.

[–] Emma_Gold_Man@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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

[–] MBM@lemmings.world 1 points 2 years ago

"Hi everybody!"

[–] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Bingo. I use y'all for everything. Even the singular. It's casual, neutral and relaxed.

[–] Carighan@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 years ago

"Hey y'all, Scott here."