themselves and themself. Themselves is the standard reflexive form of they: I hope the children enjoyed themselves. Themself is a 14th to 16th cent. form that has recently been revived for use as an equivalent to they meaning ‘a person of either sex’: No one should blame themself for this tragedy. There is a certain logic to this if they is given a singular meaning, but the form themselves is also used in this context: Everyone ought to try it for themselves. ‘We are looking for a Producer/Director who, when necessary, can use a camera themselves, and who has …’ — BBC advertisement. This is a very controversial area of English usage where, in formal writing, it is often best to abide by what is universally approved or to take avoiding action: Everyone ought to try it for himself or herself or Everyone ought to try it personally. See also note at they