...
In one sense Peter is correct. I am not British and he is. I did not
pretend to say what is or is not good British English, but I will correct
that by saying that from listening to Brits speak I discern that Peter
incorrectly characterizes British English. I find from listening to
ex-pat Brits and to the BBC that the British are not so unaware and
unaccustomed to using the generic as he would pretend.
I would also turn the tables on him by reminding him that, unless he is
sailing under a false flag, he has no qualifications to speak for "at
least 50% of the population" by which he presumably intends the female
portion of the population. ...
... If any women happen to be offended by theGeorge, it takes a language policeman (sorry, police officer) to recognise one! ;-)
usage of generic terms, I would be interested to hear. Otherwise, I must
conclude that Peter is a member of the PCLP [Politically Correct Language
Police].
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