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From: rfg@hound.UUCP (R.GRANTGES)
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: summary of non-sexist terms for "gentlemanly"
Message-ID: <373@hound.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Jan-84 16:29:12 EST
Article-I.D.: hound.373
Posted: Wed Jan 11 16:29:12 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Jan-84 04:16:56 EST
References: <473@ihuxq.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 14

Not that it really matters, since in our language we usually feel
free to create new words (like Ms.) when we think it is necessary,
but "Gentles" <is> a real, recognized in dictionaries in nearly
this usage, word.
The Oxford Universal Dictionary, Third Edition, Revised to 1964,
printed in the U.S. by Rand McNally, says:
Gentle  ...
B. sb. 1.One who is of gentle birth or rank (rare in sing.;Obs. in pl.
exc. arch.) ME. *b. Used in polite address - 1641. ...
1. b. Gentles I would entreat you a courtesie MARMION.
Furthermore, I actually used the term (wow!) in a real postal-type
letter a couple of years ago and the world did not collapse. That
means the term is in "current" usage :-)
Dick Grantges,AT&T Bell Labs, hound!rfg