2006-10-12 11:17:48 · 48 answers · asked by colin050659 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
Main Entry: 1gay
Pronunciation: 'gA
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French gai, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gAhi quick, sudden
1 a : happily excited : MERRY
2 a : BRIGHT, LIVELY
3 : given to social pleasures; also : LICENTIOUS
4 a : HOMOSEXUAL
synonym see LIVELY
- gay adverb
- gay·ness noun
2006-10-12 11:21:09 · answer #1 · answered by Aroura 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can't beat auora's definition for thoroughness. But, as a teacher, I can attest that that it is often used by schoolchildren (especially by boys, and especially in the North of England) as a derogatory term to describe anything that is ridiculous or distasteful. Although it stems from a term of abuse for homosexuals, this emerging definition nevertheless seems to move it back towards its original meaning, which is "light-hearted and care-free, mirthful". It must be one of the most semantically dynamic words in the English language, if you consider how much its meaning has altered over a short time. And it still has a great deal of interest and mystery. Hence your question.
2006-10-12 11:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by DGR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happy
2006-10-12 11:25:03 · answer #3 · answered by auctioneerjz 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Happy
2006-10-12 11:19:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A normal homosexual man or woman.
(as opposed to a subnormal one !!? LOL no, dont be silly)
There is the now archaic " happy" or "brightly coloured" uses of the word, but when I say "Gay" I use it to mean Homosexual, or pertaining to homosexuals or thier lifestyle, or maybe even things commonly associated with it (rightly or wrongly) like a Jeep Wrangler... is a Gay car, it's not a homosexual vehicle, it's a car associated with gay's. (Come onnnnn !!! You KNOW it's true !! LOL).
Dont get flustered people.... no offence is meant here, never was,never will be.
2006-10-12 11:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by mittobridges@btinternet.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gay means to be happy,, fun loving, carefree, tipsy maybe.
to use the word to mean something els is to corrupt an english word for a corrupt reason, the guardians of the english language should never had allowed it to happen, because it becomes a lie with the intent to decieve.
2006-10-12 11:47:44 · answer #6 · answered by trucker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have used it in many ways:
Gay meaning a guy liking a guy.. I usually dont call females gay I just call them lesbians.
Gay meaning something with insignificance to me or something else.
Yes I guess gay could mean happy although very little people use it in that way anymore.
2006-10-12 11:43:48 · answer #7 · answered by NHStudent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Originally the meaning of the gay was happy, party mood but somewhere it began to be referred to homosexuals and I still can't figure the connection But I prefer happy,party mood as My Meaning
2006-10-12 11:27:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buffalo Bills players
2006-10-12 14:09:24 · answer #9 · answered by Chuck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acting happy
2006-10-12 11:46:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋