[csail-related] GSB Tonight: "Guys"

[jamoozy at csail.mit.edu (Andrew "Jamoozy" Correa)]

I've mentioned my views on the evolution of language before.  I think, 
in fact, that I've mentioned those views here.  Well, let me dive into 
something specific.

I had a conversation with my future Mother-in-law over the break.  She 
was vehemently against using "guys" to mean "people".  When she was 
growing up, it was "guys and girls" or "guys and gals" [1]  Well, it 
occurs to me that I've never been of that opinion.  When taken in its 
singular form, "guy" is surely a male-only pronoun.  When pluralised, 
however, I would argue that it can be taken to mean both men and women.

But what do I know?  I'm not a native speaker.

That's right!  As is the case with most people, when I was born I spoke 
gibberish [2].  Some people start to speak their native tongue again 
when the want kids.  Then when they have them, they suddenly forget 
every word of it they ever knew!

Today, why don't we relax and have some nice, deep conversations about 
the baby talk champion's hoax [3] at this week's:

        +-                                                  -+
           girl scout benefit -+-  5:30 pm  -+- 32-G9 lounge
        +-                                                  -+

            For those coming from elsewhere: Building 32 is
             <http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=32>
        Once you are in 32, just take the G-elevator to the 9th
    floor and we will be in the lounge that you will be looking at
                  <http://projects.csail.mit.edu/gsb>


[1] Or "guys and dolls" in the worst of cases.
[2] Some people love this language, though they generally call it "baby 
talk".
[3] I heard Kim Jong-un was assassinated.  That can't be right, can it?