>>116541
"Morph" isn't perfect, but it can be thought of as a simple abbreviation of "anthropomorph(ic)" into "'morph" the same way we ended up with "anthro" as an abbreviation without regard for the etymology. "Morph" as a noun in English doesn't mean anything, I think... actually you're right. It would lead to the exact same "problem". In the alternate universe where that happened instead, I'd probably have the exact same issue with the word. It wouldn't sit right with some autist or another to call the characters "shapes".
Yeah, "underperson" isn't particularly objective, either. Disdain is built into the word. Though I guess the same goes for "robot" which basically means "slave", right? I wonder if Czechs find that funny.
I also remember saying "if furries were real" (referring to anthros) only for someone to say "but they are" (referring to people like us). Plus, it's an adjective clownfishformed into a noun which also bothers me a little.
>>116543
From https://www.etymonline.com/word/anthropo- :
>word-forming element meaning "pertaining to man or human beings," from Greek anthrōpos "man; human being" (including women)
It does mean "man" (in the sense of "human") in the original Greek. Imagine a world with anthros and there's an anthropology class. The study of humans. But would that refer to the study of all upright, sapient species or specifically humans?
I don't know. It's a very niche non-issue most the time and most fantasy settings just give their species some made-up in-universe name anyhow like TwoKinds with "keidran".
Alright, screw it. ITT we make up a proper word to replace "anthro" and try to force it then give up and get angry when no one uses it.
Read the