When one writes with his or her reader or audience in mind, the individual employs non-sexist language. An awareness of non-sexist language communicates that you’re a careful, considerate writer. This piece offers 15 non-sexist word or phrase substitutes.

1. Replace mankind with humanity.
2. Replace policeman with police officer.
3. Replace man-hours with work hours.
4. Replace mailman with police officer.
5. Replace chairman with chairperson.
6. Replace a man who with someone who.
7. Replace anchorman with anchor.
8. Replace cleaning woman with domestic.
9. Replace Englishmen with the English.
10. Replace fireman with firefighter.
11. Replace foreman with supervisor.
12. Replace man-made with artificial or manufactured.
13. Replace postman with mail carrier.
14. Replace salesman with salesperson.
15. Replace self-made man with self-made person.

Dr. Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison