I've just rediscovered Language Hat, who argues that the use of "they/their" as a (gender-neutral) singular pronoun is "common and much needed". In the comments there's a very reasonable comment by one Henry Churchyard, who's also got a page about The singular "they"/"their"/"them"/"themselves" construction. Geez, I'm getting old and cranky, insisting on the old usage--or rather, the new usage I grew up with. Well, what about "it's" instead of "its"? As in Bush Pressing China on It's Currency By MARTIN CRUTSINGER.