[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by rainmaker
In a previous post, Mark Padgett used the word "guys" and then commented to me that the word is now gender-neutral. So I'll make you folks a deal, and I'm wondering if other women on the board will join me in signing at the bottom. (Rebecca, where are you? Lori, are you behind this?)

I, basic average woman, will agree to spend the next five years learning to hear the word "guys" as gender-neutral, if all you, enlightened men of the ref world, will agree to spend the same span of time learning to use other vocabulary that is more historically gender-neutral. This will be an advantage to me, since my feelings will be hurt less often, and an advantage to you men refs since you will separate yourself from all those unenlightened cretins who still club women and drag them back to the caves.

Signed,

juulie downs

Please list a few words from "other vocabulary that is more historically gender-neutral," for our consideration.