If the English language had been properly organized . . . then there would be a word which meant both 'he' and 'she', and I could write, 'If John or Mary comes heesh will want to play tennis,' which would save a lot of trouble.
Source: The Christopher Robin Birthday Book.
-- A A Milne, (Jan 18 1882-1965), English humorist, children's author; He was the originator of the immensely popular stories of Christopher Robin and his toy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh.