Originally Posted by GRAEME

Gay has quite a few meanings, Stevie, the one you are presumably referring to is only another.



Look at the word "mobile" - it used to mean portable or moves easily; or one of those dangling things in kiddies' nurseries, etc. Now it also - and predominantly - means a cell phone.

That's how language works.

"Gay" as in homosexual has been around at least since the early 20th Century and it reached public conciousness in the 60s. But it was used before - Cary Grant says he just went "gay all of a sudden" when he's caught in a frock in Bringing Up Baby!

Words acrue new meanings and , occassionally, lose old ones. I still use the word to describe a pleasing colour or a light mood. Context should make clear what you mean.

BTW isn't it peculiar that nobody ever seemed to complain about the word "queer" gaining the "new" meaning? Perhaps because as a perjorative that was resented less.

Perhaps ( I say "perhaps") those of us who are uncomfortable about the use of the word gay had better check that it is the word we feel uncomfortable about - and that it isn't an indication of an underlying prejudice against, dare I say it, gay people?

Originally Posted by stevie boy

graeme, was not Cary Grant alluding to the fact that he looks gay as in colorful and happy, and when the Flintstones sing we will have a gay old time, was that not in the sixties?? nothing against anyone's sexual preferences in private just a bit fed up with the hijacking of this word.??

Originally Posted by Lord Brett

Well the word has been re-hijacked since. Its universal meaning in the schoolyards of the UK is 'rubbish'. The word will remain attached to homosexuality until there is an alternative which isn't perjoritive or too clinincal sounding.

Besides, I think the English language can give up one little three-letter world without the sky falling in.

Originally Posted by GRAEME

Ha ha! In the Cary Grant case absolutely not! He leaps in the air puts on an effinate voice and says "I thought I'd just go all gay all of a sudden!" There is a double entendre there of course - but Grant and Hawkes and the writers of the script would have been well aware of the then fairly obscure theatrical slang they were alluding to. The gag doesn't work if you remove the subtext.

However, The Flinstones meant the word in it's "happy" context. And it can still mean that - if ignorant people wish to snigger, that's their business! It wasn't until the end of the sixties that gay became more universally connected to the homosexual rights movement.

And nobody "hijacked" it! It's just being used differently in some contexts - a positive way in contrast to "hijacking" of the words queer, faggot, fairy, etc. Which I've never heard anybody complain about. Funny that.

Why does it bother you? You don't have to use it that way. I use the word both ways.

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin

Faggots used to be bundles of kindling at one time. Then I used to buy them frozen in Iceland - Brains. They were delicious. Still are probably, but they're offal expensive nowadays.

I still can't believe Americans say fanny on the television.

Say something I can understand

Originally Posted by stevie boy

disagree

Originally Posted by Steve Crook

Faggots always were meatballs in Wales. And lovely they are when done properly. Very rich in liver and wrapped in a caul to hold them together as they're cooked.

They should have the white tracery of the caul still on them when they're served. Preferably in a rich gravy Maybe with a few vegetables or some other garnish

Steve

Originally Posted by stevie boy

If you read my comments previous I do not have any problems at all with homosexuals and I do not use the words queer,faggot or fairy.