pronoun panic
The state of embarrassed backpedaling following the accidental revelation of a party's gender through the use of a gender-specific pronoun. This slip abruptly ends a series of either gender-neutral phrasings or "pronoun lies." Generally leads to an ineffective self-correction, as there is no further lie that can provide a save. Restricted to certain languages, depending on the grammar of gender.
Pronoun panic interrupting gender neutrality:
Brittany: I just found out that it was one of our parents -- I'm not saying which -- who hit Fluffy yesterday, not a neighbor. They were on the phone while pulling out of the driveway and they weren't paying attention. But he feels so...I mean, THEY feel...
Brad: AHH I can't believe Dad killed Fluffy!
...and interrupting a lie:
Mark: Oh, you're going to Paris? My girlfriend and I went last summer and it was so romantic. She's fluent in French and she's always wanted to go, so I saved up and surprised her for her birthday. What great memories...one night, I took him -- HER...
Bill: Mark, we all know you're gay.
Brittany: I just found out that it was one of our parents -- I'm not saying which -- who hit Fluffy yesterday, not a neighbor. They were on the phone while pulling out of the driveway and they weren't paying attention. But he feels so...I mean, THEY feel...
Brad: AHH I can't believe Dad killed Fluffy!
...and interrupting a lie:
Mark: Oh, you're going to Paris? My girlfriend and I went last summer and it was so romantic. She's fluent in French and she's always wanted to go, so I saved up and surprised her for her birthday. What great memories...one night, I took him -- HER...
Bill: Mark, we all know you're gay.
pronoun panic by atds November 14, 2009
Word of the Day on February 23, 2012
Get the pronoun panic mug.