"guy''

[Joel S. Berson]

At 6/15/2007 12:03 PM, Jon L. wrote:
>HDAS:
>
>   1927 Eugene O'Neill, in _Sel. Letters_ 363: She is a "real
> guy."  You'd like her immensely.
>
>   1929 Asch _Pay Day_ 14: Be a good guy, Ma, and wait a couple of days.
>
>   1934 Duff & Sauber _20 Million Sweethearts_ (film): She'll
> understand. She's a great guy.
>
>   Etc., etc.
>
>   Obviously these particular exx. include adjs. and are to some
> degree figurative, but the fact remains that they refer to a female
> human being as a "guy."  Hence the semi-pronoun "you guys"
>   As we know, there are different levels of synonymy.  Literal
> "guy" does not yet equal literal "girl" or "woman."  But
> figuratively it has for decades.
>
>   Sometimes I think I've been wasting my time all these years.  And
> - it's funny - other times I know it.

Not a waste.  You've informed me with these early dates for the
feminine guy -- and perhaps some others as well.

Joel

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