like if they dont like something they just say "thats really gay"
i know its weird
2007-06-30 16:23:16 · 11 answers · asked by Bear 1 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
that is our last bit of derogatory free speech left in this country. please leave it alone.
2007-06-30 16:29:35 · answer #1 · answered by Spanglish 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hi! It's a (fairly recent) slang usage. For a while, "bad" was used to describe something excellent, "hot" means (currently) sexually attractive, or appealing, (ie: that dress is hot on you.) You are familiar with much more of the current "hip" slang than I am , I'm sure. "hip"- now there's one...been around a very long time.It replaced "hep" which was a jazz musician's term for "with it"! I don't have the faintest idea how or why it got into play, but there it is. When I was a teenager, my favorite slang for wonderful was "bitchin'". "neat" has been holding it's own, for several decades now... All of these example words mean something much different, according to Webster. This particular application of "gay" is not one of my favorites, at all. On the other hand, Kellybucelew is right. According to Wesbster, 'gay" means happy, or festive. Anybody know how it originated as a euphemism for homosexual? I have no idea. "sucks" and "bites" are also used to describe something not liked or approved of- that's not what they mean, in the dictionary. "Super" was popular for a while ( partiularly with the "yuppies") as a substitute for good, or wonderful. ( I really hated that one.) I'm still trying to find out where in the world "stone-cold fox" came from, as a description of someone who is very good-looking.(I use it; I just don't know why it became what it is.) It's a little out of favor, now. Does that make it "retro"? Soon, "gay" will be replaced with something else to describe "dumb". ( Which, by the way, doesn't mean stupid, according to Webster....Oh! "Stupid" was used to describe something excellent for awhile! No wonder people trying to learn our language get so frustrated! Well, now I'm dizzy, so I guess this was fun! Thanks for the question, now I think I'll go lay down for awhile..**.For Kelly: not anymore, are you the oldest person in this group! Not by a loong shot, now that I'm here! }:>
2007-07-01 09:33:29 · answer #2 · answered by Ja'aj };> 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the word gay referrs to being really chirpy and overly happy like almost when you've had a little too much to drink and that usually appears a bit stupid, so the word gay is connected with something which looks stupid.
2007-07-01 16:26:32 · answer #3 · answered by gumsy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "gay" has had many meanings. Surely, it will develop into yet another idea at some point. Meanings such as
being extremely happy, elated with joy
being homosexual or having homosexual tendencies
being a very dumb or stupid idea or thought.
This was a fun question. All words are simply words, we within society assign the meaning.
God bless****
2007-07-01 10:01:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For most people who say "gay" and mean "stupid" it isn't because of the connection to homosexuality. It just developed like that. I think it's wrong to say it because it may offend someone, but it's just how society took a word like "cool" and made it into an adjective completely unrelated to temperature.
2007-07-01 11:00:20 · answer #5 · answered by Roger W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a new one.
In the South African community of the on-line game of DoTA (Defence of The Ancients, based on Warcraft III) the word "gay" is often used in reference to certain heroes (units used in playing the game) or the players' choice of heroes.
Example: "That hero is gay"
It refers to a hero that is to strong and is relatively easy to win a match with, even in the hands of a "noob" (first time player).
So the word takes on a whole new dimension: Being unfair or taking the easy option.
Slightly contradictory to the popular apprach to the word, wouldn't you say...
2007-07-02 09:24:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't think it means stupid any more than people who say, "How lame" really think "lame" means "stupid." It's just a piece of slang to avoid saying "stupid" or "foolish" or "silly."
2007-07-01 02:11:19 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well probably I am the oldest one in this group "gay" in my generation meant "happy"....so out of touch!.....thanks..interesting!
2007-07-01 08:08:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
cus to us its funny
if i was playing gears and i got chain sawed id go wow u fag or ur gay but i wouldnt mean it as gay but its funny to call the person that
2007-07-01 01:14:02 · answer #9 · answered by xXBrudu BXx 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A lot of people see gays as immature.
2007-07-01 04:39:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I always find that strange.
I think their hiding their own "gay".
2007-06-30 23:29:25 · answer #11 · answered by ImperialWarrior 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋