A term which refers to all of the members of humanity, but is now politically incorrect to say. This is due to the fact that people misunderstand the origin of the term "man", and rather than understanding the etymology of the word they immediately associate it with male dominance.
In old English, males were called "werman" and females "wyfman". "Man" was gender neutral, and has been in use in our language to describe people, in general, since that time.
Despite criticism, it is not incorrect to use "mankind" in writing.
In old English, males were called "werman" and females "wyfman". "Man" was gender neutral, and has been in use in our language to describe people, in general, since that time.
Despite criticism, it is not incorrect to use "mankind" in writing.
by DC_Eric July 17, 2006
by Fallsy February 10, 2018
I found this clip within the "NY Times" and it seems that sanskrit would be the oldest derivative towards "Mankind." This is a partial clipping, not the full article...
Mr. Barzun has written "that the word 'man' has its roots in the Sanskrit 'manu,' which means human being," you note, continuing: "Its counterpart in Latin is 'homo.' Thus, he argues, the word 'man' has always had a double meaning -- both male human being and human being in general. . . .
It is true that the word "man" -- which appears to derive from the same Indo-European root as "mind" and thus originally meant thinking creature -- has long had the two meanings mentioned, both of which are attested for Sanskrit "manu."
Mr. Barzun has written "that the word 'man' has its roots in the Sanskrit 'manu,' which means human being," you note, continuing: "Its counterpart in Latin is 'homo.' Thus, he argues, the word 'man' has always had a double meaning -- both male human being and human being in general. . . .
It is true that the word "man" -- which appears to derive from the same Indo-European root as "mind" and thus originally meant thinking creature -- has long had the two meanings mentioned, both of which are attested for Sanskrit "manu."
by Loquetus May 18, 2008
by YouKnowYouWantMyVanillaPudding December 5, 2018
A term which continues to be used to refer to all of humankind but which, by virtue of the fact that it refers only to the male portion of the population, is both inaccurate and sexist.
How come people still use the word "mankind" as a synonym for "humankind"?? It's the 21st century for fuck's sake!
by clarencedarrow April 30, 2005
one of the three faces of foley (best selling author and pro rassler). three time world heavyweight champion (wwf). term also sometimes used to describe the human race (don't know what that has to do with mankind though)
MANKIND HAS ACHIEVED HIS DREAM! AND THE DREAM OF EVERYONE ELSE WHO'S BEEN TOLD YOU CAN'T DO IT!! shut up, michael cole
by mankind July 15, 2003
Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey
-Jack Handey
He is responsible for the downfall of mankind.
by Matt Patterson January 18, 2004