Hardly a Homophobic Slur
Cielitos
Mr. Hall
AP English III Per 6
October 2014
Hardly a Homophobic Slur
You’re gay. You’re gay. You’re gay. While similar in sound, they are completely different in meaning. Many people will argue that using this word is wrong and think that any explanation to why it could be right is naïve and won’t even take time to hear one out. Nevertheless, I hope that knowing the origins of this word, understanding that there are many changes in uses of language terms or phrases, then, considering the fact that ‘intent is everything’ they will then finally be able to see that sometimes the term ‘gay’ is actually “okay”.
The word gay arrived from the 12th century from the old French speak as ‘gai”. Then it became common in the English language meaning “joyful”, “carefree”, “bright and showy”. Not until the 20th century did the word begin to be used to mean specifically “homosexual”. The use of gay to mean homosexual was an expansion of the word’s sexualized connotation of being “carefree and outgoing” which implied a readiness to disregard conformist or highly regarded sexual customs. Bringing me to its newest meaning, beginning in the 1980s and especially in the late 1990s, while retaining its newest meanings, it also acquired the definition of a general term of mocking.
According to the widely used by the modern generations’ website: urbandictionary.com; the term gay has three meanings 1) happy, 2) homosexual, and 3) a generic insult. (Although, many would argue that urban dictionary is not the most reliable source, I feel that since using the term ‘gay’ is socially unacceptable, rather than scientifically incorrect so, I feel I should use the opinions of the more tolerant society as well.)
I know back when Atari, Cyndi Lauper, and fanny packs were cool it was also very common to hear kids getting swirlies, wedgies, called gay from bully traditionalists. I admit, originally, not too long ago using the adjective ‘gay’ towards someone started off as a
Mr. Hall
AP English III Per 6
October 2014
Hardly a Homophobic Slur
You’re gay. You’re gay. You’re gay. While similar in sound, they are completely different in meaning. Many people will argue that using this word is wrong and think that any explanation to why it could be right is naïve and won’t even take time to hear one out. Nevertheless, I hope that knowing the origins of this word, understanding that there are many changes in uses of language terms or phrases, then, considering the fact that ‘intent is everything’ they will then finally be able to see that sometimes the term ‘gay’ is actually “okay”.
The word gay arrived from the 12th century from the old French speak as ‘gai”. Then it became common in the English language meaning “joyful”, “carefree”, “bright and showy”. Not until the 20th century did the word begin to be used to mean specifically “homosexual”. The use of gay to mean homosexual was an expansion of the word’s sexualized connotation of being “carefree and outgoing” which implied a readiness to disregard conformist or highly regarded sexual customs. Bringing me to its newest meaning, beginning in the 1980s and especially in the late 1990s, while retaining its newest meanings, it also acquired the definition of a general term of mocking.
According to the widely used by the modern generations’ website: urbandictionary.com; the term gay has three meanings 1) happy, 2) homosexual, and 3) a generic insult. (Although, many would argue that urban dictionary is not the most reliable source, I feel that since using the term ‘gay’ is socially unacceptable, rather than scientifically incorrect so, I feel I should use the opinions of the more tolerant society as well.)
I know back when Atari, Cyndi Lauper, and fanny packs were cool it was also very common to hear kids getting swirlies, wedgies, called gay from bully traditionalists. I admit, originally, not too long ago using the adjective ‘gay’ towards someone started off as a