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The Conversation USA

The Conversation USA

Listen up, ladies and gentlemen, guys and dudes: Terms of address can be a minefield, especially as their meanings change

  • Written by Scott F. Kiesling, Professor of Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh

A male colleague could be forgiven for not knowing if using “guys” to refer to female co-workers is acceptable in the modern workplace. But should he address them as “ladies,” he risks a trip to HR, or at the very least being labeled a condescending creep.

So what in the name of Messrs Merriam and Webster is going on with...

Read more: Listen up, ladies and gentlemen, guys and dudes: Terms of address can be a minefield, especially...

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