Himherthem

Himherthem is a term used in discussions of gender-inclusive language to describe a proposed pronoun set that blends elements of masculine, feminine, and nonbinary pronouns. The concept is intended to acknowledge a spectrum of gender identities by moving beyond fixed binary pronouns. The term itself is a portmanteau of "him," "her," and "them." There is no standardized grammar or orthography, and usage varies across communities and contexts.

Origin and usage: The coinage appears in online forums and academic discussions in the 2010s–2020s as part of broader experiments with neopronouns. It has not achieved widespread adoption and remains one of several experimental pronoun options discussed in gender studies and linguistics.

In practice, proponents describe two broad approaches. One treats himherthem as a singular, flexible pronoun equivalent to "they," usable in the same way as other neopronouns. Another treats himherthem as a base form from which context determines the appropriate referential function, with speakers and referents negotiating how it is applied in sentences. Example sentences are hypothetical: "Alex uses himherthem," or "I spoke to himherthem after the meeting."

Critics argue that it adds complexity for everyday communication and for natural language processing, and that inconsistent use can lead to confusion. Supporters see it as a tool for inclusive language and personal identity expression.

See also: nonbinary pronouns, neopronouns, gender-neutral language, linguistic inclusivity.