fun language fact: the phrase “you guys” wasn’t originally gendered — it didn’t originally refer to a group of men. it actually goes back to guy fawkes, aka this guy! (lol) he’s famous for trying (and failing) to blow up the house of lords in 1605.

“remember remember the 5th of november?” that’s him! he was caught just before he was about to make everything go boom. after fawkes’s death, parliament established a holiday now known as bonfire night to mock fawkes and discourage others from following his example.

on bonfire night, the english burnt effigies of fawkes (& other unpopular figures). they referred to the effigies as “guys,” & then people began to refer to “unsavory” men as “guys.” over time, “guys” lost its negative connotation & instead was used to refer to working-class men.

so yeah! that’s where we get the phrase “you guys.” that doesn’t mean you should refer to people as a “guy” if they ask you not to. don’t be a dick. i just wanted to share the etymology because i think language is cool as hell.