Definitions of the word "gay"

I have totally used that, I have to admit. But I don't have a problem or hate gays or anything... that's a point to ponder... though I usually use it not for "stupid" but for colors and such!

That's just the way the word is used in English nowadays. I do not see what is homophobic about it. In the same way that nowadays "gay" no longer means bright, jolly or lively.

You're right that "gay" no longer means jolly, but it does still mean homosexual, and if it comes to mean stupid or bad aswell then an impressionable mind cannot help but begin to think that being gay is bad.

Gay does still mean Jolly. There are many words with multiple meanings, why should the older meaning of gay no longer be valid? "that's so gay" is still perfectly acceptable if referring to something jolly, it's when it is used in a derogatory context that it is an issue. It is true, however, that there are blurred lines, for example the phrase "that's so gay" when used by a goth to describe a bunch of bright yellow balloons, could be using either meaning in a derogatory fashion.

Bigotry in general certainly can annoy me.

What century are you living in Crite? Gay does not mean jolly anymore, to say otherwise is to stretch much too far. Bloody hell even High Court Judges, known for their use of archaic use of langauge, agreed that the meaning of gay has been totally transformed and no longer refers to jollity etc ( Reynolds v Malocco )

in all fairness i think websters still says it means jolly

I've been known to say "that's so gay" to gay friends of mine...they never seemed offended or to think I didn't like them. I mean, being a flamer and being homosexual are really two different things, and to be totally camp is a purposeful presentation, so why is it rude to notice it? It's not a value judgement.

In college people used to tell me I was granola, but I never took offense.

There are words which are exclusively derogatory, N***** being the classic example, but not the only one. Others like "gay", "black", "fairy", "spade", "tart", "hoe", etc... are derogatory only if used in such a manner and have perfectly acceptable other uses and meanings. Even when used to mean homosexual, gay is not always derogatory, even if used being used by a hetrosexual.

Nope. While it certainly does have primarily negative usage, "nigger/nigga" isn't always derogatory.


vs.


woof.

For me that would mean that I was dining with homosexuals or we were gay for not having hot curries...

Don't be such a faggot.

Ok i dont think i explained myself well.

i have no problem when gay is used in reference to something that is homosexual, a person can be gay, a neighbourhood can be gay, an item of clothing can in fact be gay.

A broken camera is a broken camera, it is not a gay camera. A difficult test is a difficult test, its not a gay test.. get my drift?

A nintendo wii is gay though. That is solid, hard fact.

I think convertible cars are gay. Can anyone confirm?

...so are Smart cars.

Bacardi and coke is gay as well.

And alcohol-free beer... GAY.

Actually I think Hummers are probably gay, in a kinda big hairy moustache with leather shorts kinda way.

along with Bacardi Breezers, Smirnoff Ice, vodka and white

Pink Shirts are totally gay.

It's not pink, it's salmon!!

Yeah man, gay is a complex old word man.

Beer - not gay
Beer with a little top of lemonade? Gay

Lemonade - not particularly gay
Lemonade with a couple of fresh mint leaves and shit? Gay

Mint leaves - not gay
Mint leaves rubbed all over the body of a naked bloke, and the resulting green mulch used as a lube for bum sex - gay.

If you do a search there was a debate about this already on Toytown. There are also a few links to what objective linguists think about the semantic drift of gay. It's usage is apparently a generational thing, but I can understand the problems it can cause. I would never think to use it instead of broken. As an adjective I associate it with effete pretty much like Wee Mun. A gay curry is a weak non spiced one. But I also apply the word gay to Hetrosexuals I've worked with.

DR: You should post that to the OED, they should appreciate the clarity your examples provide...

Well if it is a bloke giving another bloke a hummer, then it is not even up for debate...

I watched a good cowboy film the other day. Not much action or shooting but plenty of horses, sheep, hills and stuff. Now you are gonna think I am just being silly and that, but towards the end, and it was nothing I could put my finger on, I was starting to think that the main characters were acting, well, how can I say this... a bit gay.

Bustedback Mountain or something I think it was called.

Nah JE, the lead characters are poofs, but the film is gay!

You want to be careful who you say that to - FULL STORY HERE

Living in Cali has made you gay!!!

Don't live in Cali mate. I left there as quickly as I could

You are still gay.

I still use the phrase "that's so gay" or "that's gay" like I would the word lame. AFAIC, the word has it's third meaning, first being "jolly" second being "homosexual" the third meaning "lame." but I aint no webster, just my humble non PC ideas.