Bushmen

/ˈbʊʃmɛn/ noun

Definition

Plural of bushman; multiple men who live in or are skilled at surviving in the bush.

Etymology

Plural of 'bushman' using the irregular '-men' ending (Old English 'mann'). This irregular plural is ancient, surviving in modern English alongside regular '-s' plurals.

Kelly Says

English's irregular plural 'men' (alongside 'bushmen,' 'firemen,' 'horsemen') traces back to Proto-Germanic and shows language's historical layers—we preserve ancient forms for common words while applying regular '-s' to newer vocabulary, making old concepts grammatically special.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Generic 'men' erases women who practiced identical survival skills in bush environments. Ethnographic records show women contributed equally to foraging, tool-making, and navigation.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'bushpeople', 'bush inhabitants', or 'bush communities' when referring to mixed-gender groups. Specify 'bushwomen' when referring to women specifically.

Inclusive Alternatives

["bushpeople","bush inhabitants","bush communities","bushfolk"]

Empowerment Note

Bushwomen's expertise in plant knowledge, water location, and small-game hunting was historically documented but often credited to 'bushmen' generically.

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