HerHis

HerHis is a term that has appeared in discussions of gender-inclusive language. It is not a widely standardized linguistic term but rather a neologism used by some writers and communities to discuss pronoun choices and nonbinary inclusivity. The word combines the familiar English possessive and subject pronouns "her" and "his" and is used as a shorthand to refer to discussions, proposals, or systems attempting to address gender diversity beyond the binary.

Etymology and usage patterns are informal and vary by community. The term is generally described as either an experimental or hypothetical pronoun set intended to be gender-neutral or gender-inclusive, similar to neopronouns. In other discussions, "HerHis" is used as a descriptive label for an approach that treats possessives and subjects in parallel, though there is no standard grammatical model or widely accepted implementation.

Interpretations differ among proponents and critics. Some argue that the term helps highlight nonbinary considerations in pronoun choice and possessive references. Others express concerns about clarity, consistency, and potential confusion in communication or writing systems that encounter the term.

Reception and status are mixed. There is no formal recognition in major style guides or linguistic authorities, and "HerHis" remains a niche term within online discourse on inclusive language. When encountered, its meaning typically depends on the specific community or author, and readers are advised to seek clarification in context.

See also: gender-neutral language, neopronouns, inclusive language, pronouns.