himthem

Himthem is a neologism used in discussions of gender-inclusive language to describe a proposed set of third-person pronouns intended for individuals who do not identify with a single gender. The term is a portmanteau of “him” and “them,” and it is used to denote pronoun schemes that blend or replace traditional gendered forms. In various proposals, the pronouns would function similarly to other neopronoun systems, with forms occupying nominative (subject), objective (object), possessive, and reflexive positions, though there is no standardized scheme.

Because there is no consensus, different communities have offered different grammars. Some proposals imagine a split system in which separate forms are used for subject and object positions, while others envision a single form used across positions or in limited possessive variants. The lack of a universally agreed-upon inventory means users may encounter multiple, incompatible implementations in online discussions.

The term emerged in online conversations within broader debates over neopronouns and gender-inclusive language, beginning in the 2010s and continuing in niche communities. It has not achieved mainstream adoption and is rarely reflected in major style guides or linguistic authorities. As with other neopronouns, proponents argue that such systems widen linguistic inclusion, while critics caution that they can increase ambiguity and hinder clear communication in everyday discourse.

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