Why do we spell Womyn with a Y???
In most languages womyn and men, as two sexes, are identified by two very separate words. English is one of the only languages which denotes the term for womyn as a derivative of the word "man". The "wo" in women comes from the Greek or Latin meaning "lesser". "Women - woman" is by traditional definition the "wife of man", "woe of man", "female-man" or "womb-man".
Many womyn have felt empowered by merely altering the spelling of an existing word to reflect womyn's autonomy. By changing "women" to "WOMYN," we have created a distinct word for our own sex. The word is still pronounced the same, yet has the power to be much more inclusive and empowering for all womyn. Another spelling used widely is "wimmin" which removed the "wo" as it is seen to represent "womb". This spelling is used by people who don't believe that womyn should be defined by their reproductive capability. "Womon" or "womun" are used as the singular.
- Sue Moore
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