2

It appears to me that we say

Hello, boys/girls

to a group of boys/girls, but do not say

Hello, men/women

to a group of men/women.

Is this the case in your particular variety of English? If so, is there a term or reason for this difference, why one form is used and the other is not?

Improve this question
5
  • 6
    For adults, we might use "Hello, gentlemen" or "Hello, ladies". Using "men" sounds military.
    – Lawrence
    May 2, 2016 at 16:40
  • 1
    Appearances can be deceptive. So can reasons.
    – Lambie
    May 2, 2016 at 17:22
  • To a group of men: Good afternoon or good morning, gentlemen. I would not say Hello, gentlemen. Also to ladies by a man or a woman. Good afternoon, ladies.
    – Lambie
    May 2, 2016 at 17:26
  • Also seen in "gentlemen ... start your engines".
    – MetaEd
    May 2, 2016 at 19:58
  • I totally just heard someone say "Hello Ladies, to a group of women. I thought it had disappeared, but apparently not.
    – Mitch
    May 2, 2016 at 23:18

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

The noun phrase following an interjection such as 'hello' restricts the intended audience, thus 'hello, boys and girls,' is appropriate when the speech is intended for the children, but adults are also present. 'Hello, ladies and gentlemen' means that you are not addressing the waiters, etc. Otherwise, 'hello everyone' is just as good.

Improve this answer
0

Options are discussed in How to say hello to a group of people?. More familiar, "Hello guys and gals" (see What is a feminine version of 'guys'?) sounds to me closer to "Boys and Girls", and apparently, you can use "guys" only (from the accepted answer of the link above):

"Guys" can be used in English as gender neutral to refer to a group of mixed gender. You will even hear women refer to other women as "guys."

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.