| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| theirselves, themself |
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| These are Substandard reflexive pronouns, made on analogy with myself, yourself, herself, itself, ourselves, and themselves. Theirselves and themself for themselves are limited to Vulgar English speech or imitations of it; both are shibboleths. Themself can also occur as an unfortunate result of trying to avoid using a gender-explicit reflexive pronoun by using a blend of the plural them with the singular self. The choices are themselves or himself or herself or both the last two: Everyone must take responsibility for themselves [or himself or herself]. See REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS; HISSELF. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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