Nick Maclaren wrote:

In article ,
johannes writes:
|
| But there is probably another layer to this. The use of he/she for an animal
| usually indicates some affection for the animal. If you were bitten by a
| male snake in a forest, you wouldn't say "he bit me". Also, things we don't
| like to think of, such as a fetus, is referred to as "it".

You are sounding just like a troll. An American troll, too.

No not an American. Possibly a troll.

That is utter drivel. In normal English, "he" and "she" are normally
used when the sex is relevant or there is some traditional associated
sex (e.g. ships). Where the sex is irrelevant or unknown, the word
"he" is traditionally used for adult humans (now being diluted by the
political correctness dogmatists), and "it" otherwise. A child of
indeterminate and irrelevant gender is traditionally "it".

Yes, you have put your finger on it. I suspect that the PC newscaster was
concerned about not offending the beetle.

In German, "child" and "girl" are both neuter. So what?

Quite so.

Anyway, this has essentially damn-all relevance to gardening.

For which I apologise.