Hopefully to mean “I hope”; singular “they”; “primary bedroom” instead of “master bedroom” – all are examples of recent language changes.

How do such changes develop? And what happens when people push back against them?

We studied a pair of ubiquitous terms currently undergoing change: “male” and “female” used to describe connector ends. Consider this sentence from Jinko Solar’s directions for installing connectors on its photovoltaic products:

“Insert the male connector into the female connector once the nut is fully tightened. Connection of male and female connectors is complete when an audible click is heard.”

“Insert the male connector into the female connector once the nut is fully tightened. Connection of male and female connectors is complete when an audible click is heard.”

“Male” and “female” show up across industries, such as when plumbers talk about pipe fittings, when firefighters talk about hose connections, when electricians talk about twist lock plugs, when welders talk about quick disconnects, when IT specialists talk about RS-232 ports, and when audio professionals talk about TRS cables.

The use of male and female for connectors isn’t only technical jargon for specialists; it reaches into laypeople’s everyday lives. Ace Hardware, for example, advertises an “ABS Threaded Male/Female Hose Mender Clamp” to anyone looking to repair a broken garden hose.

What’s the problem with male and female?

Professionals in some industries, including audiovisual, theater and IT, have argued........

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