thon
English
Etymology 1
Proposed in 1858 by Charles Crozat Converse from that + one.[1]
Compare also dialectal English and Scots thon (“that; yon”, adjective; pronoun).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ðʌn/
- Rhymes: -ʌn
Pronoun
thon (third-person singular, gender-neutral, possessive thons, reflexive thonself)
- (nonstandard, rare, see usage notes) they (singular). Gender-neutral third-person singular subject pronoun, coordinate with gendered pronouns he and she.
- 1889 November, Converse, C. Crozat, “That Desired Impersonal Pronoun”, in The Writer, volume 3, number 2, Boston: William H. Hills, page 248:
- Every writer has "thons" verbal likes and dislikes, yet, for the sake of convenience, I trust that even "thon" who dislikes verbal innovations will give my little word a little trial and note for me the result.
- 1907 August, Larisunz, C. W., “Thε Sol:—Hwens?—Hwither?”, in Thε Jurnɑl ɵv ɷrthɵεpi & ɷrthɵgrɑfi, volume 24, number 8, page 153:
- 1985, Zinsser, William Knowlton, On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction, 3rd edition, New York: Harper & Row, →ISBN, LCCN 84048208, LCC PE1429.Z5 1985, page 121:
-
- (nonstandard, rare, see usage notes) them (singular). Gender-neutral third-person singular object pronoun, coordinate with gendered pronouns him and her.
- 2020, Charlie Kaufman, Antkind, →ISBN, page 102:
- I send my files to Dinsmore with a cutting note too subtle for thon to understand (thon is an imbecile, regardless of thon’s protected status).
Usage notes
A neologism when Charles Crozat Converse coined it in 1858, thon has seen limited use since then.
Synonyms
See also
- other attested gender-neutral pronouns
References
- Quidnunc, “Thon—That's the Forewho”, American Speech, Volume 48, Number 3/4 (Autumn–Winter 1973), pages 300-302
Further reading
Gender-specific and gender-neutral pronouns on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ðɒn/
- Rhymes: -ɒn
Adjective
thon (not comparable)
- Yon.
- 2010 December 17, Diana Gabaldon, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Anchor Canada, →ISBN:
- “Whatever are ye lookin' at, Neil?” his mother demanded, looking up from fastening her favorite garnet brooch. “That's the third time ye've had a peek out thon window.” “Not a thing, Mam,” he said, inhaling deeply. “Only taking pleasure in the day. Such beautiful weather, is it not?” Mrs. Forbes sniffed, but obligingly settled her spectacles on […]
- 2011 January 4, Allie Mackay, Must Love Kilts, Penguin, →ISBN:
- “But”—he spoke in a tone that made Magnus feel like a lad of twelve—“look in the shadows of thon window embrasure and tell me what you see.” Magnus bit back a curse and followed the older man's gaze. “I see Maili, the smithy's daughter.”
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French
Etymology
From Latin thunnus, thynnus (itself from Ancient Greek θύννος (thúnnos)), possibly through the intermediate of Old Occitan ton.
Derived terms
Further reading
- “thon”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Middle French
Etymology
First attested 1393 as ton. Borrowed from Latin thunnus, thynnus, possibly via Old Occitan ton although the Middle French is attested earlier than the Old Occitan[1].
Descendants
- French: ton
References
- Etymology and history of “thon”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Scots
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [ðon], [ðɔn]
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
- (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [tʰɔn˧˧]
- (Huế) IPA(key): [tʰɔŋ˧˧]
- (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA(key): [tʰɔŋ˧˧]
Related terms
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