Friday, September 7, 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen

I've always been rather amused by men getting first billing on everything that lists women and men.

Jack and Jill*
men and women
guys and gals
boys and girls
him and her
he or she
his or hers

Although, from time to time you hear 'girls and boys' though it tends to be passive voice.

With the very notable exception: Ladies and Gentlemen. Though for the life of me, I can't attribute this linguistic non-sexist oddity to women. Rather it would seem that Gentlemen just let the ladies go first.

*Admittedly there was a pretty good short lived show where Jack was guy and Jill the girl. Though, we aren't talking about obscure shows.

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