- it has been modernized as times have changed (the 2000 edition removed the advice
to use masculine pronouns whenever possible, and warns that some will find unnecessary
masculine usage offensive)
PEP-8 however does not mention a particular edition and the version that is readily available (in the public domain) does contain this problematic section "to use the masculine pronouns whenever possible" which is not inclusive. Hence, I think we would be better off not mentioning it or failing that, mentioning a particular edition. I think times/language norms for inclusivity have changed a lot since 2000 (two decades), so another style guide that was more recently updated might be better, if we think there should be one mentioned at all.
'They. A common inaccuracy is the use of the plural pronoun when the antecedent is a distributive expression such as each, each one, everybody, every one, many a man, which, though implying more than one person, requires the pronoun to be in the singular. Similar to this, but with even less justification, is the use of the plural pronoun with the antecedent anybody, any one, somebody, some one, the intention being either to avoid the awkward “he or she,” or to avoid committing oneself to either. Some bashful speakers even say, “A friend of mine told me that they, etc.”
Use he with all the above words, unless the antecedent is or must be feminine.'