Of the Genders there are sixe

First, the Masculine; Second, the Feminine; Third, the Neuter, or feined Gender: whose notion conceives neither Sexe; Fourth, the Promiscuous, or Epicene, which understands both kindes; Fift, the Common, or rather Doubtfull gender, wee use often. and with elegance; Sixt, is the Common of three Genders...

Isn't that lovely?


It's actually Ben Jonson, circa 1617, trying to bend English grammar on the anvil of Latin:

First, the Masculine, which comprehendeth all Males, or what is understood under a Masculine species: as Angels, Men, Starres: and (by Proso[po]paeia) the Moneth's, Winds, almost all the Planets.

Second, the Feminine, which compriseth Women, and femal species: I'lands. Countries. Cities. And some Rivers with us: as Severne, Avon, &c.

Third, the Neuter, or feined Gender: whose notion conceives neither Sexe; under which are compriz'd all inanimate things; a ship excepted: of whom we say, shee sayles well, though the name be Hercules, or Henry, the Prince. ...

Fourth, the Promiscuous, or Epicene, which understands both kindes:  especially, when we cannot make the difference; as, when we call them Horses, and Dogges, in the Masculine, though there be Bitches, and Mares amongst them. So to Fowles for the most part, we use the Feminine, as of Eagles, Hawkes; we say, shee flies well; and call them Geese, Ducks, and Doves, which they flye at.

Fift, the Common, or rather Doubtfull gender, wee use often, and with elegance: as in Cosin, Gossip, friend, Neighbour, Enemie, Servant, Theefe, &c. When they may be of either Sexe.

Sixt, is the Common of three Genders: by which a Noune is divided into Substantive, and Adjective. For a Substantive is a Noune of one only Gender, or (at the most) of two. And an Adjective is a Noune of three Genders, being alwayes infinite.


from THE ENGLISH GRAMMAR. MADE BY BEN. IOHNSON.
For the benefit of all Strangers, out of his observation of the
English Language now spoken, and in use.
Nine