Non-Sexists Bid to Erase Gender in Man-uscripts

A group concerned about women’s rights is urging writers to rid their prose of sexist stereotypes by refraining from such words as “kingpin,” “weatherman” and “co-ed.”

A four-page “Guide to Nonsexist Language” from the Project on the Status and Education of Women provides a long list of do’s and don’ts for the non-discriminating writer.

The project, run by the Assn. of American Colleges, advises authors: “Breaking away from sexist language and traditional patterns can refresh your style.”

The project offers general rules for non-sexist usage, such as using plural nouns and pronouns, alternating male and female pronouns or using them both in a text, such as, “to the best of her or his ability.”

Its forbidden list, and suggested substitutes, include:

Businessman, executive; cameraman, photographer; craftsman, crafts person or artisan; draftsman, drafter; fireman, firefighter; headmaster, principal; kingpin, key person or leader; man-made, manufactured or handmade; night watchman, night guard; policeman, police officer; salesman, salesperson or sales agent; sportsmanship, fair play; statesmanship, diplomacy; weatherman, weather reporter or meteorologist.

It frowns on such words or phrases as: male nurse, authoress, aviatrix, co-ed, maid and waitress. In their places, it offers such unisex substitutes as: nurse, author, aviator, student, housekeeper and waiter or “wait person.”

In the project’s book, there should be no mention of the “Founding Fathers,” and no one ever went on a “maiden voyage.” Instead, children should learn about the “pioneers, colonists, patriots, forebears (or) founders,” and ships go on a first or premiere voyage.

“Fill ‘er up” is also out. The guide says, “Nations, battleships, gas tanks and other objects have no gender.”

And the guide consigns those two anthropomorphic mainstays of myth, Mother Nature and Father Time, to the scrap heap of history. Just saying nature and time will suffice. Ditto for “Lady Luck.”