For decades, honorifics with a person’s name in forms of address and databases have either implied status (doctor, lawyer, etc) or gender (mister, miss, etc.). However, the gender neutral title “Mx” is joining the list of honorifics available on driver’s licenses and other official documents in the United Kingdom for the first time as of this month.
It also under consideration from the Oxford English Dictionary. Via the Daily Mail:
“Assistant editor of the dictionary, Johnathan Dent, was quoted by the Sunday Times as saying the move towards Mx was a sign of the English language’s ability to adapt to an ever-changing society.
He explained it was the first time in recent history that commonly used and accepted titles had changed.
Mr Dent was quoted as saying it showed the way English could adapt to people’s needs, rather than letting language dictate identity.”