Plural of correspondent; journalists who report news from particular locations, or people who exchange letters or communications regularly.
From Latin correspondere, combining cor- (together) and respondere (to answer). The word entered English in the 17th century, originally meaning 'to answer in harmony' before developing its communication meanings.
The journalistic sense emerged during the 19th century when newspapers began stationing reporters in distant cities to send back news by telegraph. War correspondents became particularly prominent during the Crimean War (1853-1856), creating the archetype of the fearless foreign reporter.
Journalism was historically male-dominated; 'correspondent' was coded masculine. Women fought to enter the profession and de-gender the term through presence and excellence.
The term is now genuinely inclusive—simply use as-is. Ensure diverse hiring reflects the neutral language.
Women journalists like Martha Gellhorn and Helen Thomas broke barriers in war reporting and White House coverage, establishing 'correspondent' as genuinely shared professional identity.
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