>>>>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).
>
>I remember when there was great debate (ok, more dicta from the PC police) regarding the words "fireman", "chairman" and "policeman" . I thought that gender equality meant redefining our conception of the existing word so that "fireman" meant a person who fought fires ( "firefighter" is kind of cool though so that one went through pretty easily ) "Police woman" really did sound sexist somehow so "police officer" works. "Chairperson" just never worked for me and I think "Madame Chairman" is now a correct form of address though I am sure some wopersons may not agree :-)

I'm good with firefighter as it accurately describes that job. As does police officer. Chairman/woman/person... dont know really. I have no sexist ideas about a woman being called woman and a man being called a man. They are not the same so why do they need the same title? But, hey, I want to be called Supreme Ruler of the Entire Known, Unknown and Parallel Universe - but do you think my wife (the "Person" of the House) does what I say ...