2007-02-12 02:21:51 · 10 answers · asked by BTH L 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
queer, yes
gay, in some cases
Can people still use "nice" or "sophisticated" in their original meanings? no
2007-02-12 02:32:46 · answer #1 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think probably the word "queer" is used in the original way more than "gay" is. I always thought of gay as quite an out dated word even before it was applied to homosexuality. Queer, though, is quite useful.
When anything puzzles my brother he says "That's a queer old do and make no mistake". He still lives in the north of England and his accent makes it sound great.
2007-02-12 10:32:28 · answer #2 · answered by Who Yah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on intrepetation... I still hear "Queer" used on some TV programs but "Gay" has almost entirely lost it's original meaning and seems to be used solely for describing homosexuals.
Except, of course, the Christmas song where they sing about "Don we now our Gay apparel"
2007-02-12 10:31:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No of course not; the US has gone way overboard, giving to much power to protected status groups. You may use these terms outside of your workplace but people will still take exception as one can find an insult or slur in anything if you look hard enough. A couple of other words that come to mind:
*****: a bundle of sticks
*********: to be stingy
2007-02-12 10:32:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you use the word in a sentance that gives the real meaning of the word I don't see why not?
2007-02-12 10:31:22 · answer #5 · answered by greylady 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, but nobody will know what they are talking about ....
In reality, the new meanings have taken over.
2007-02-12 10:30:09 · answer #6 · answered by istitch2 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do, but even my 11 year old son teases me for it!
2007-02-12 10:34:20 · answer #7 · answered by JQ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but they are still charged with their connotations.
2007-02-12 20:50:22 · answer #8 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gay - happy
queer - different
2007-02-12 10:47:14 · answer #9 · answered by colera667 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not as often, but yes, I hear it.
2007-02-12 10:26:54 · answer #10 · answered by Randy G 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋