Does anyone know the origin of the phrase 'Coming out of the closet' ?
2006-10-20 02:56:40 · 5 answers · asked by moominjen 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I'm not sure where the "closet" part of the phrase came from - the whole concept of "coming out" underwent a few changes over the twentieth century, but my guess it would be around the nineteen fifties, when the first psychological studies on the concept were occurring.
The actual concept of "coming out" first appeared in Germany in the late 1960's. Gay-Rights activist Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (I think that's the right spelling) was the first to note that one of the key hurdles in changing public opinion toward homosexuality, was the fact that an unseen (and largely unspoken of) phenomenon - thus encouraging gays/lesbians to "come out".
Hope this helps
2006-10-20 03:25:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because what goes on in the 'closet' is traditionally a secret. Whether it is prayer, or a closet sociopath, coming out would be letting others know what's going on.
2006-10-20 10:10:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well there was this fellow once who was funny like that. and he liked me like that. and I went over to his house, and he was'nt there, I thought, then he jumped and grabed me and tryed to kiss me. he had jumped out of a closet, and so I told people he was a closet case. and well. it caught on, and yes I am makeing this up. but it COULD have happened.
2006-10-20 10:13:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Slang for someone who is Gay..to admit it to Family and Friends...it was called that to give ...you might say Ice-breaker not to shock everyone at once
2006-10-20 10:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by babo1dm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually i dont know
2006-10-20 11:39:56 · answer #5 · answered by frankly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋