I like neither this word, nor male chauvinism, so I solved the dilemma by inventing my own etymology for history. Just break up history so the first work is "hi", as in "high", instead of "his", you can think of history as a being a series of high stories, as in, a bunch of ripping good yarns, rather than some sausage club exclusionary thing.
Random House says history is "one who knows", while AHD says it is "learned man", which is probably indicative of the time it was used.
I know a lot of women who don't care for the term. I'd be surprised if it were a sausage club exclusionary thing, as John so vibrantly puts it. :-)
I await John's ripping yarn to excite my new Hi-Story list. Avanti.
I like neither this word, nor male chauvinism, so I solved the dilemma by inventing my own etymology for history. Just break up history so the first work is "hi", as in "high", instead of "his", you can think of history as a being a series of high stories, as in, a bunch of ripping good yarns, rather than some sausage club exclusionary thing.
This word actually triggers my gag reflex. If that makes me a male chauvinist pig, so be it.