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The article uses the word "mask" (and "face") quite a bit without mentioning that it is the original meaning of "person".

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=person

Perhaps the omission is deliberate, because it does mention the origin of "family" from "servants".

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=family

(A delightfully unapropos Yeats quote is hidden in plain view at that last link. I wonder who stuck it in there.)

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The author does mention the etymology of 'person' in an earlier article, so they appear to be aware of it.

"'Person,' by the way, has a neat etymology. It comes from the Latin persona, referring to a mask worn on stage. Per (through) + sona (sound) — the thing through which the sound (voice) traveled."

http://www.meltingasphalt.com/ux-and-the-civilizing-process/

Good catch! I had a hunch that the current post was inspired by that etymology, which seems a tasteful reason for it not to mention it.

The 'sound' bit is disputed, though, and probably too cute.

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