>>Q2) Is it true that in an attempt to enforce "equality" the words him and her have been combined into a new word "hem" ?
>
>
>Years ago I proposed (in casual amongst family, friends, anyone who would listen whenever the issue came up) that the word "heir" be extended to have that meaning (to be used in a case meaning his / her / their). It already has that type of connotation, meaning an heir can be a him, a her (or even a them). :-)
>
>I often see things like this in documentation:
>When the user clicks the login button, s/he will find the main screen appears.

imo, if a new word is invented because it genuinely improves the use of language, improves communication and understanding between people, that is one thing. But to invent words in an attempt to be politically correct or to try and pretend that male and female are the same I think is pointless.

(NB: I am not suggesting that is what the "heir" word is about - I dont know about that or how it would/might benefit communication or understanding).