Why are homosexuals known as gays.?

Question

Who first used this word to describe homosexuals

Answer 1

Usage note In addition to its original and continuing senses of “merry, lively” and “bright or showy,” gay has had various senses dealing with sexual conduct since the 17th century. A gay woman was a prostitute, a gay man a womanizer, a gay house a brothel. This sexual world included homosexuals too, and gay as an adjective meaning “homosexual” goes back at least to the early 1900s. After World War II, as social attitudes toward sexuality began to change, gay was applied openly by homosexuals to themselves, first as an adjective and later as a noun. Today, the noun often designates only a male homosexual: gays and lesbians. The word has ceased to be slang and is not used disparagingly. Homosexual as a noun is sometimes used only in reference to a male.

Answer 2

i thought being referred to as gay, meant happy, as in gay and jolly yes, so most men i know are happy, need i say more. gays dont go out clubbing spoiling for fights like straights do.

Answer 3

Long ago it used to be a way to describe us that was sort of derogatory, and we took it back.

Answer 4

That was one of the words that they used as a secret password. As it got used more and more it became obvious and the word stuck!
Another one was camp, or camping.

Answer 5

Because "fabulousites" seemed awkward to pronounce.

Answer 6

Apperantly it means Good As You.

Answer 7

They had a club in Gay Street in LA USA

Answer 8

Split gravel, what the f*ck? Learn proper english or just stop breathing!


To answer your question, I don't really know.

Answer 9

well because homosexuals seem to have a perverted grin when they walk about as if they need sexual satisfaction all the time. hence always smiling; hence "gay".

that's not my belief, but that's how the slang was invented.

Answer 10

Good question. I have wondered that myself.