July-August 2015 – The Oxford English Dictionary is considering adding the gender-neutral term Mx to the dictionary’s list of honorific terms such as Mr., Mrs., and Miss. The title, frequently used in the UK by transgenders or those who wish to avoid traditional gender designations, has also been adopted by government departments, banks, universities, newspapers, the Royal Mail postal service, and for drivers’ licenses. Oxford English Dictionary assistant editor Jonathan Dent described it as a case of language adapting to people’s needs.
“Early proponents of the term seem to have had gender politics as their central concern and saw the title as one which could sidestep the perceived sexism of the traditional Mr., Mrs., and Miss,” he said.
