hishertheir

Hishertheir is a neologism used in discussions of gender-inclusive language to describe a hypothetical singular pronoun form that blends masculine, feminine, and nonbinary references. The term emerged in online linguistic and LGBT+ communities in the early 2020s as a thought experiment about how pronouns might accommodate a wider range of gender identities. It is not recognized as an established pronoun set in formal grammar and has limited adoption outside particular online spaces and speculative fiction contexts.

Construction and meaning: The label hishertheir is formed from the standard pronouns his, her, and their. Advocates say the concept highlights inclusive language by signaling that gender identity may be male, female, nonbinary, or unknown. Critics argue that combining pronouns can create ambiguity, complicate grammatical agreement, and hinder readability in formal writing.

Usage and examples: In practice, hishertheir is typically discussed as an illustrative concept rather than a standard pronoun. Some educators or writers use it to demonstrate how pronoun systems might evolve. Example sentences are often invented for explanation, such as: “When Casey submitted the form, hishertheir pronouns were listed in the metadata,” or “The guide explores hishertheir usage as a thought experiment.” In many settings, people prefer established alternatives such as the inclusive singular they or explicit gendered pronouns, depending on the referent’s preference.

Reception: Opinions vary. Supporters see hishertheir as a useful heuristic for thinking about inclusive language; opponents view it as impractical for everyday writing. The term remains primarily a topic of discussion rather than a widely used pronoun in ordinary discourse.

See also: gender-neutral language, nonbinary pronouns, pronoun usage, linguistic prescriptivism.