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From: stewart@ihldt.UUCP (R. J. Stewart)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Non-easily converted sexist word
Message-ID: <2015@ihldt.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Sep-83 11:50:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihldt.2015
Posted: Thu Sep 29 11:50:53 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Sep-83 23:12:43 EDT
References: <2201@tekecs.UUCP>
Organization: BTL Naperville, Il.
Lines: 17

"Marksman" is not hard to do away with.  The option that's most to the
point is "sharpshooter".  However, the word "markswoman" is in the
dictionary so it probably wouldn't be too outrageous to choose
"marksperson".

"Marksmanship" is harder, and may be a case where its best to reword the
sentence or use a short phrase in its place.  Not every sexist word
needs to be replaced with a single, neutral word:

I admire your marksmanship => I admire your skill with weapons.

For a complete, practical treatment of the subject I suggest "The
Handbook of Nonsexist Writing"; C. Miller & K. Swift; Lippincott &
Crowell, NY; 1980.

Bob Stewart,
Bell Labs, Indian Hill