Generate the answer for a given question. The question requires common knowledge of English. Make sure that the answer is in detail, long, consistent with the context, and requires general knowledge of English. To be less repetitive, please vary your language for each question. Give a proper explanation to answer, and if necessary, provide the definition of various terms. And conclude your answer if it's long. If you have used other resources (e.g., Merriam Webster's.) to answer the question, include citations in your answer. You don't need to paraphrase the context of your resources, but make sure that your answer is consistent and complete.

[EX Q]: Is the word 'dude' becoming gender neutral? I don't think so, however, has modern usage changed? Are there some recent examples of 'dude' being used to refer to a woman or group of women?.
[EX A]: It is common in my experience (woman in US, 26, liberal hippie type) for groups of women to be called 'dudes' or 'guys' by both men and other women, but not for individual women to be called a 'dude' or a 'guy.' One exception seems to be in greetings using 'dude,' as in, 'Hey dude!'

[EX Q]: If there are an odd number of competitors at any stage of a single-elimination tournament, one player is excused from play and continues on as if he had defeated his (nonexistent) opponent. This is called 'getting a by'. Or 'getting a bye'. Who knows, maybe it's even 'getting a buy', although I doubt it. My dictionary lists by as meaning 'pass' in card-games, so that suggests that spelling. On the other hand, the image of the referee looking from the single player, to the empty and undefended far side of the field, and then back to the player, shrugging, and saying 'Bye', is too strong to easily discard. Like other parts of the anatomy, everyone's got an opinion. I'm looking for a cite.
[EX A]: Here's what you get: bye 1 |bi| noun 1 the transfer of a competitor directly to the next round of a competition in the absence of an assigned opponent. [From the New Oxford American Dictionary.]

[EX Q]: Persistence and perseverance seem to have very similar definitions. Googling shows persistence: Firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. perseverance: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. What is the difference between them?.
[EX A]:
'Persistence' is used in the sense of 'stubborn' (obstinate). There could be a slight negative connotation. For example: The telemarketers persistently called us. We don't say they 'perseverantly' called us. 'Persistent' is used when there continuing action, and the purpose is either bad, or neutral, and sometimes(rarely) good. 'Perseverance', is used when the purpose is good. That is, you're doing something to help someone, or to achieve a desirable goal, such as climbing Mt. Everest. Depending on how you feel on something, you could use 'perseverance'/'Persistence'. For example, the telemarketer calling you, could annoy you, and you could call him 'obstinately persistent'. But to the marketer, you might be to him, a tough customer, and he might seem to himself 'bravely perseverant in trying to persuade this tough customer.' As you can see, it gives a different 'feel' about the thing described.