It's so 'gay'

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I've never cared for use of an individual identifier (or group identifier) as an insult or swear word. Gay is just the latest homophobic swear word -- I had hoped that would not happen (there are enough negative words associated with homosexuality).

The origin of gay may come from the 1890's (also termed the gay nineties) which was a period of sexual promiscuity. A brothel was referred to as a 'gay house.' Hence, gay meant promiscuous -- homosexuals have always been stereotyped as promiscuous. Another possible origin (from wordorigins.org):

The term is used in 'Bringing Up Baby' (1938) by Cary Grant when explaining why he's dressed in a woman's bathrobe.

Some other terms are far more sinister. The term fag or faggot is used in the UK to mean a cigarette. Derived from a burning/smoking stick, which is also called a fag. The use of the term with homosexuals recalls the old practice of burning homosexuals at the stake. Quite gruesome.

 

Considering that "gay" had a meaning -- and was used as a derogative -- long before homosexual activists laid claim to it, I see very little to be upset about.

It is the same with people who object to the use of the term "niggardly," which etymologically has absolutely nothing to do with the word "nigger."

Further, saying "that is so gay" is far from a recent invention. It has been around for decades.

True, some of the people you cite are no doubt using it to refer to sexuality. But if you take the long view of language it may not get under your skin so much.

 

Actually, the most common meaning for 'gay' in English used to be 'merry' or 'carefree'. It originally comes from the old French 'gai' (meaning cheerful).

There is a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance titled 'The Gay Gordons', that some young people I know refuse to dance because of what they think it means...

 

I knew that ! Everyone must have heard the South Park song: 'Get in gay (with the children here)', no (rainforest episode) ?

Well, my opinion is that yes, it is somewhat stupid. But I think Rutowski pretty well described the person from whom you might expect to hear this comment.

 

I can definately say that I am among the people who say that something is gay, meaning that I dislike it. I don't mean any offense to homosexuals, but it's just the way the word is evolving. Gay used to mean happy, but over time it changed to target specific people. Maybe the word is just changing again.

 

Oh, and does not saying "That is so Canadian!" mean exactly the same thing as "That is so homosexual?"



Ok, sorry. I could not resist.

 

St. James, That's just the Liberal party. I'll leave it there before this thread gets moved to AoLS...

 

Old? No my friend, it's still a correct word today. Unfortunately in french also ''gai'' has become a prejorative word associated with homosexuality. What's more some people (especialy younger one) use the english spelling ''gay'' over the correct french one, and they see it as a mistake. I mean WTF?! They're using out of context AND mispelled? Can they be more stupid. Anyway I'm getting ahead of myself.

I think BTA has a point, I wonder too what people ''sucks'' when they say '' It sucks '' ... Lolipops? Fruit?

PS:

Now That's canadian!

 

I'm with reepnorp. I know it's not politically correct or even polite, but I don't meant to offend any particular group, in this case, homosexuals, by it. it's just an expression that many people happen to use here..

 

There is no harm in saying "this is SO gay." It's just an expression, if a bit gay one.

(So yes; ditto to what BTA said.)

 

The old, proper meaning of gay is another reason why I don't like the expression. You don't say "that's so cheerful" when something surprises you in the bad way, is weird or whatever such. Perhaps, if the expression has been around for decades, it used to mean something close to "that's rich!" I don't know. I'm no good with regional dialects. "Gay" is not the only one. I remember young lads calling things "Chinese", meaning weird or nonsense. Didn't like that one, either.

 

I think anything putting down a race, religion, ethnicity is wrong. In this case, I would also think that it is in appropriate to slam the gay community in such a manner.