The History of Thon: A Gender-Neutral Pronoun Explained

Discover the intriguing history of 'thon,' a gender-neutral pronoun created in the 19th century to promote inclusive language.

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Thon is a gender-neutral pronoun coined in the late 19th century by Charles Crozat Converse. It is an abbreviation of 'that one,' intended to provide a singular pronoun without gender specification. While thon enjoyed some usage in dictionaries and literature for a short period, it ultimately did not gain widespread acceptance. However, it remains a noteworthy attempt in the ongoing evolution of inclusive language.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What does the pronoun 'thon' mean? Thon is a gender-neutral pronoun that was coined to represent a singular pronoun without specifying a gender.
  2. Who created the pronoun 'thon'? The pronoun 'thon' was coined by Charles Crozat Converse in the late 19th century.
  3. Why did 'thon' not gain widespread acceptance? Despite some usage, 'thon' did not become widely accepted and is generally less recognized than other pronouns.
  4. How has language evolved to include gender-neutral terms? Language has evolved through various movements that promote inclusivity, leading to the creation and acceptance of terms like 'they' as singular pronouns.

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