Thursday, July 2, 2009
Group 5 the meaning of the word "Gay"
The word gay has many meanings in the English language, none of which are related. Originally, Gay was created to describe someone or something as being happy, but now, it is rarely ever used in that context. One of the ways it is currently used is to describe a person’s sexual orientation, mostly males, however can be used for females as well. It means that the person is sexually attracted to people of the same physical sex. This term can also be used in a derogatory way toward people who are “gay”. They may prefer the politically correct term, “homosexual”. The second is to describe something that the user thinks is stupid or lame. It could be a joke, an action someone else did, a particular activity, or something that the speaker felt that they should have known. You will hear it phrased as, “That’s gay.” Like many other words in the English language, “gay” has many meanings, and can easily be misinterpreted.
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Hello,I am Habeeb and I am from India! I have heard this word before when I am watching the English channel on television. I never knew what it meant,though. I have heard it when someone is angry and happy so I was confused. Thanks to your definition, I completely understand now. It is probably not a good word to use, especially around strangers and you may offend someone. I am glad I now know what it means- Thanks!
ReplyDeletePer from Finland again. I think you did a good job explaining to me the different meanings that "gay" could have. I'm wondering, though...could you give me an example of a situation in which the word "gay" is used when it's being used to mean "stupid" or "lame"?
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ReplyDeleteHello my name is Tien from vietnam. Thank you for your definition. I did not understand why so many people used this word. I was always taught that it meant happy. thank you for explaining. Now I know i should be careful when using this word so others dont get offended.
ReplyDeleteHola! Me jose from Mexico. I do no speak very good englias. Me take class here at century to learn englias. Me havee herd gay being used when talkin to me amigos. I am happy to know what the word gay means. Thank you, Jose
ReplyDeleteThis is Otis from Albania. Can you help me understand why someone would use this term to describe someone being lame? What do you mean by lame? Is that bad or good?
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is Kim and I am from Japan. I have lived in America for awhile now and I have heard that phrase being used, and I have been very confused by it. This paragraph helped me realize the meaning and hurt that people meant by this, thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteHi, this is Bob from Ethiopia. This word "gay" has always confused me so much. People would point at my car and say that word when I drove by. I could not understand why they had to say if it liked males or females. I guess I have a lot to learn about English slang!
ReplyDeleteFahrünissa is my name. I am from Turkey, When i first moved here i was 17 and brought wit me a baby doll and carried it everywhere. The kids wre laughing and whispering "That is so gay" I didn't understand but now I tink I do. thanks for you help.
ReplyDeleteI understand both of your meanings of the word gay. While you do not define lame, I understand that it has a similar meaning as stupid. I felt your paragraph was very understandable. I guess the example could have been more than just "That's gay", but then again, I'm from the south. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job explaining the meaning of gay. Although, there are some more definitions for the word gay that would have been interesting to read about. But why is it so offensive for someone to be called gay, if I dont understand how it could make someone feel?
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