Readers’ Queries: Ask Dr Oracle
I am a student of journalism and my sub-editing lecturer has declared that it is not OK to use the binary word “manhole”. She says that “personhole” is the acceptable gender-neutral alternative. I am uncertain about this and would be grateful for your opinion.
First, thank you for asking.
Secondly, let us begin by considering a definition of the word “manhole”. Wikipedia will serve our purpose here. It says that “a manhole is an opening to a confined space such as a shaft…[they] are often used as an access point “.
The use of “personhole” will inevitably lead to readers confusing cast-iron lids in paved areas with individual sexual preferences. Furthermore, the word will undoubtedly provoke flippancy with the supplementary question, “Which one?”
I do not think it is yet disputed that a man has two potential orifices that could be referred to under our working definition, whereas a woman has the benefit of three (oral, anal and vaginal).
My understanding is that the main task of sub-editors is to “cut it short” while retaining meaning. On that basis, to make “personhole” a portmanteau word is asking it to carry too great a load.
A brief look at a diagram of male and female anatomies should provide enough established terminology to identify the “hole” being referred to as a “personhole”.
I appreciate that that still leaves us with the problem of finding an unambiguous alternative to the word “manhole” where it refers to a pavement-level access point.
This is one of those questions where you can very easily find yourself in a hole! I will say no more.
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