The Rise of the Epicene 'They'

Description: Traces usage of generic 'they,' following an epicene antecedent (such as 'anyone' or 'everyone') to the late fourteenth century. The Hengwrt manuscript of CT shows an eighteen percent occurrence of 'euery,' 'ech, 'and 'euerich' as antecedents to they,' 'hem,' and' hir(e)'. This and other texts indicate augmented use over time and suggest a correlative preference for the generic pronoun with a gradual increase of female social agency.