What have we stopped noticing?
The things we say, do, and accept without thinking twice.
Look closer where it comes from, what it assumes, and the case for keeping it
What you mean by it
A casual greeting for any group.
What it's actually picturing
“Guy” is masculine in the singular, yet the plural is used for groups of any gender.
What it takes for granted
The masculine form serves as the unmarked default for “people”.
Worth knowing
Perception varies. In a 2022 US poll, 77% found it acceptable for a man to call a mixed group “you guys”, and 63% for an all-women group. Some people still feel left out by it.
The case for keeping it
Words mean what people use them to mean, and for a lot of speakers plural “guys” is simply gender-neutral now.
Say it plainly
EveryoneFolksTeamY'all
Or have some fun
Hey folks
Where this comes from
- Is it acceptable to refer to women as “girls” or “guys”? · YouGov
- guy · Dictionary.com
- guy · Online Etymology Dictionary