The nonsexist word finder : a dictionary of gender-free usage /

Maggio offers alternatives to the almost overwhelming number of sexist words in English. The main dictionary is followed by Appendix A, ``Writing Guidelines,'' (which reviews, e.g., inclusive/exclusive language, hidden bias, and the ``generic'' he), and Appendix B, ``Readings,'' (excerpts of others' writings). An excellent bibliography concludes the book. The introduction by Casey Miller and Kate Swift (authors of Handbook of Nonsexist Writing, 2nd ed., 1988) suggests that ``no one can write about language ... without expressing opinions that may strike others as overly rigid ... '' and states that writers must make their own choices. Indeed, writers will probably want to chose carefully in this book because, although one might agree to outlaw ``rule the roost'' because a roost is ``manned'' by a rooster, the discussion of sex-linked metaphors and expressions carries a good idea too far. Using ``vulnerable point'' for ``Achilles' heel'' and ``secret adventurer'' for ``Walter Mitty'' seems to deprive language of the richness and recognition offered by such expressions, some of which are by now gender-neutral. Though several other works discuss sexism in language, (Annette O. Hill's Mother Tongue Father Tongue, CH, Apr '87; Dale Spender's Man Made Language, CH, May '81; Dennis Baron's Grammar & Gender, CH, May '86) this one provides convenient dictionary arrangement. A comprehensive, useful work, recommended for academic libraries.-M. McCormick, University of California, Los Angeles