What do you think of the misuse of the word GAY to denote homosexuality/lesbianism?

Question

Just so YOU know where I stand on this, common usage today of an otherwise nice word, annoys me no end. Whenever I'm watching an old movie, for example, and there's a reference to GAY (happy), it jars on my nerves because I've been conditioned to think of the word in as denoting sexual preferences. There are lots of other examples in language(s), as well. Bastards!

Answer 1

I have not agreed with the 'new' use of the word since it began or took on a new meaning.
Words are funny like that, understanding is altered as languages change.
Even the question that is asked is in error of true intent, a lesbian is a homosexual.
It really matters not to me if or how an individual chooses to physically recreate in the privacy of their own space and with the consent of whatever partners that choose the same way.

Answer 2

Is something not "nice" about someone ones legal, consensual sexual preference, or about the use of the adjective gay to mean those who prefer their own gender? In itself a word is neither nice or not nice; its just just a symbol standing for something else. A word is not REAL. Another adjective used in old movies is "swell", meaning good.But it can also mean swollen, and so what? If the old movies offend you, turn them off and watch TV or newer movies. I guarantee that the crap being turned out these days will really get on your nerves, soap operas included. Which is why I avoid most of it. That said, singing "don we now our 'happy' apparel"in the Christmas carol sounds awkward to me.

Answer 3

I thought I had heard the last of this old chestnut years ago. Gay has been used in English to refer to people outside the sexual norms for at least 200 years, so the term is hardly a 'misuse of a nice word', whatever than means. Homosexuals have been called Pansies, Queers, Fairies and Dykes too. They got sick of being referred to by words that are insults so they chose 'gay' to refer to themselves. Nobody bleats that you can't use lovely old words like queer and dyke any more without being misunderstood. What seems to gall people is that gay is a word we chose for ourselves.

Answer 4

Words change and adapt all the time, this is how language works. No offence, but people who bemoan the loss of the original meaning of the word 'gay' never usually used it in that context in the first place.

Admittedly, it is a little jarring when reading older books, but it's never annoyed me.

Answer 5

particularly. gay ability satisfied, and that i evaluate it offensive that it somewhat is been misused to characterize gay. on the different hand, i'm aggravated via the way that gay misused in a gay context is used to indicate negatives. How can satisfied be detrimental?

Answer 6

It seems that the community prefer ed that, over the more prevalent - queer- although back in fashion it appears - back in the 70's (?).
So that is how the cool and groovy language turns.
Agreed the former meaning of the word is gone in to days context.

Answer 7

Language evolves, good or bad.

You think you're annoyed? How about witnessing "awesome" change in my lifetime from describing an event like Mt. St. Helens erupting to "the pizza arrived on time, AWESOME!"

Hardly.

Answer 8

I can't lie,I've used the word gay.. for a homosexual.. most lesbians/homosexuals also call themselves gay. I think the respectful word would be homosexual or lesbian.

I don't have anything against either.

Answer 9

there will be no misuse/misunderstanding if you just look at the context of the conversation. i personally don't have a problem with the word in whatever context it's being used.

Answer 10

Many words have more than one meaning, one of which has developed later than another. Yes, gay still means happy, but in the past few decades the word developed another meaning, which is equally legitimate. Thanks to homophobia, people have essentially abandoned the original meaning, but that doesn't mean that it is no longer a word.