BBC says "gay" is OK!

[Lorizael]

Dude, even I think bad gay comes from homosexual gay, and I'm on the gay bashing side!

[Drake Tungsten]

It doesn't matter what you think. What matters is what you can prove, particularly in matters as random and often contrary to common sense as etymology.

[Lorizael]

What I can prove? Pish posh! My opinion should be good enough for you.

Um.

I was under the impression that most linguists seem to believe gay as a pejorative was derived from gay as homosexual. And however random and contrary to common sense you may believe etymology to believe, linguists are the experts.

[Drake Tungsten]

I was under the impression that most linguists seem to believe gay as a pejorative was derived from gay as homosexual. And however random and contrary to common sense you may believe etymology to believe, linguists are the experts.

I'd be interested in seeing any etymological studies if they exist...

[Lorizael]

I'm lazy and at work. Maybe later.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten

I was under the impression that most linguists seem to believe gay as a pejorative was derived from gay as homosexual. And however random and contrary to common sense you may believe etymology to believe, linguists are the experts.

I'd be interested in seeing any etymological studies if they exist...

Don't do it you might be subjected to having to listen to this guy.

[chequita guevara]

It used to be acceptable to say "******," and also use it to describe no people realted things, such as ******-rigging, etc. The fact that it was standard usage and most people didn't think anything at all of it, didn't make it less insulting to the people who were the target of the term.

My grandmother told me they used to call black people ******men as if there was nothing at all wrong with the word. The fact that certain Black rappers are trying to reappropriate the word in a misguided attempt to take away its power and a bumch of low class people call each other that word doesn't mean its acceptable to society at large.

As for the origins of the usage of gay to be demeaning because it was associated with homosexuality, I was there when it was going on, kid. I know from personal experience what it meant, especially as it was frequently directed at me.

[Drake Tungsten]

As for the origins of the usage of gay to be demeaning because it was associated with homosexuality, I was there when it was going on, kid. I know from personal experience what it meant, especially as it was frequently directed at me.

Anecdotal evidence is all but worthless, buddy. You know this.

[Lorizael]

Che, are you claiming that the word "******" is somehow universally bad throughout all time and that society's perception and usage of the word doesn't affect it? What about the wacked out theory that language has to do with communication?

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Anecdotal evidence is all but worthless, buddy. You know this.

In etymology, it's the only evidence there is.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Lorizael
Che, are you claiming that the word "******" is somehow universally bad throughout all time and that society's perception and usage of the word doesn't affect it?

It's bad now. "Gay" as an insult for other things is bad now, even if jerks want to pretendd it's okay to use a the name of a group as an insult. "Gay" means lame because gays are perceived as lame. It is still a vicious insult to be called gay when you're a kid.

[Lorizael]

Well, you probably know more about this being a kid thing than I do, as I never was one.

[Drake Tungsten]

Do you use "lame" as a pejorative, che? That word doesn't seem to be any more acceptable than "gay" given the criteria you've laid out for making such decisions...

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Why does Che hate cripples?

[Drake Tungsten]

I'm sure he doesn't hate cripples. He's just an insensitive jerk who doesn't seem to care if the physically handicapped are hurt by his use of their name as a viscious insult...