One entry found for themselves.
Main Entry: them·selves
Pronunciation: [th]&m-'selvz, [th]em-
Function: pronoun plural
Date: 14th century
1 a : those identical ones that are they -- compare
THEY 1a;
used reflexively, for emphasis, or in absolute
constructions
<nations that govern themselves> <they themselves
were
present> <themselves busy, they disliked idleness
in
others> b : himself or herself : HIMSELF, HERSELF
-- used
with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
<nobody
can call themselves oppressed -- Leonard Wibberley>
2 : their normal, healthy, or sane condition <were
themselves again after a night's rest>
usage see THEY
[email protected] wrote:
>
> In a message dated 09/08/2001 9:09:58 Central Daylight Time,
> [email protected] writes:
>
> <<
> Actually, according to some grammar experts (I believe William Safire and
> some others, though I could be wrong about who THEY are), the presumed
> "politically correct" generic pronoun "their" and "theirs" was used some 200
> years ago, and is today considered grammatically correct.
>
> Even if it wasn't, I'd still use it. "HE" DOESN'T APPLY TO WOMEN.
>
> Nina Colloid >>
> I have never seen that usage in literature. If so, why was it changed? It's
> an axiom of proper English that the subject agree with the verb. "Their own
> self" violates good grammar. His/her works, sounds literate and violates no
> rule of proper English.
>
> --
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