this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
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One of the comments reads : Actually, we will probably never figure out, was it man or woman. but I thought this comment of the professor was an interesting eye opener. https://mastodonapp.uk/@MarkHoltom/112070436760917344

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[–] [email protected] 87 points 8 months ago (27 children)

i think they mean 'man' as in 'mankind'. also any ideas why would they carve it into bone and not bark or something more flat?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (9 children)

Sure, you can say "man" means "mankind", but when you use gendered language like that, most people picture a couple of caveMEN sitting around a fire carving bones rather than caveHUMANS (edited -- I think it would benefit us to picture all genders around this hypothetical fire). Even though we try to use gendered language in a neutral way, listeners will often perceive the language in a gendered way.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 8 months ago (2 children)

"Man" also means "humankind". In fact, it was originally a gender-neutral word.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/man

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

this is it tjank you

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

Yes, I know. I explained that. That doesn't change perception.

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