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 xFrockx
Fucking Hippie
 
Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 1,146
Loc: Northeast
Last seen: 3 hours, 24 minutes
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 Slang Usage of the Word Gay is not always offensive
#8414184 - 05/17/08 07:52 PM (4 months, 25 days ago) |
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In recent times the users of the English language have produced a number of slang terms which are used to replace older words with a different or even opposite meaning. For example, it is not uncommon that a person, although normally as young one, would refer to a positive event as “bad.” In such cases as, “Wow, that car is so bad” or even further, “Philosophy is so badass.” the term bad and its conjunctions are not being used in the traditional sense. Instead, bad means something quite the opposite.
Another word, “gay” has also adopted not just one, but two new meanings. The obvious one is its use to mean homosexual. There is another usage of the word, however, that has created a lot of needless controversy because it has not been properly described. Just as the word bad has entered into slang meaning its opposite, so has the word gay. Although this usage may not have directly developed from the original, blissful usage, its intent is blatantly sarcastic, and not derogatory. To better prove this I will demonstrate this type of usage as well as proving why this usage is not meant to degrade homosexuals. To be sure that this refutation is all encompassing, I shall not only prove that the sarcastic use of the word gay is not meant to mean homosexual in sexual preference nor in a more expansive, cultural sense.
When one states that something is gay in the third, sarcastic sense, one is using it to mean the opposite of what the word gay formerly meant: wonderful, gleeful, ect. For example, if some teenagers go to their favorite amusement to ride its best rollercoaster, only to find that the wait is several hours, it would not be an uncommon response to say, “Wow, this is so gay.” When used in this sense, it is being used sarcastically, not in any way that is intended to degrade homosexuals. To be fair, not all slang uses of the word “gay” are sarcastic, so those that are not would be the sort of degrading remarks that ought to be looked down on. A non-sarcastic slang use would be if one directs the use of the word to imply that something or someone is effeminate, the word is used to refer to a stereotypical idea of gay culture. If I had a lesbian friend who was messing with me and I said to her “You’re so gay.” I would not be verifying to her that she is a homosexual, which would be nonsense; I would be referring to her actions as being displeasing to me. If such an interaction were to take place in the 1920’s, only in more of a cheerful manner than a jeering one, it would not be unusual for the word to be used in its original manner: to express pleasure. While there may be a disconnect in the time where the word gay was used in a positive way and its current sarcastic use, but in meaning alone the sarcastic use makes no intended offense towards homosexual people.
Some would see fault in this explanation of its use, preferring to instead explain that what I call the “sarcastic use” evolved not from the original meaning, but the effeminate one. While this may even be true, it does not invalidate my defense of gay’s sarcastic use; etymology cannot cause immorality. To say that a word is offensive because of its tradition alone is not defensible. To give an extreme example, the word “chink” can refer to a small cut, like in one’s armor, or in a derogative way towards Asian people. Another example, “nigger” is still widely considered derogatory, but some African Americans use it and words derived from it in a completely non-derogatory way. In fact, this difference as well could be explained as a sarcastic use.
What matters when a word is used is not tradition, but intent. In the sarcastic sense of the word gay I have explained there is no intent to degrade homosexuals, and so there is no need to discourage its use on moral grounds. If we are to be offended by every word with a history of hate regardless of its intent when used, then we might spend much of the time in any given conversation being offended. Such a reaction is pointless when there is no ill intent behind the use of the word.
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I want to tell you a story,
About a little man,
If I can,
A gnome named Grimble Grumble,
And little gnomes stay in their homes,
Eating, sleeping, Drinking their wine
Edited by xFrockx (05/17/08 08:01 PM)
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 Cameron
perma-stone
Registered: 10/31/07
Posts: 2,140
Loc: Canada
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Re: Slang Usage of the Word Gay is not always offensive [Re: xFrockx]
#8414381 - 05/17/08 08:33 PM (4 months, 25 days ago) |
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A lot of people I've grown up with who use the word gay to describe something unpleasant are the same type of people who label someone they don't like a faggot. I can't speak for everyone, but I get the impression that many young people aren't even aware of the alternative definition of gay (happy). Not that it's even much of a big deal; you would have to be pretty sensitive to take offense to someone calling a line-up gay.
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xFrockx
Fucking Hippie
Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 1,146
Loc: Northeast
Last seen: 3 hours, 24 minutes
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Re: Slang Usage of the Word Gay is not always offensive [Re: Cameron]
#8414409 - 05/17/08 08:38 PM (4 months, 25 days ago) |
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Yeah, I don't disagree that its use isn't actively sarcastic, but in terms of intent the meaning is opposite from the original one.
--------------------
I want to tell you a story,
About a little man,
If I can,
A gnome named Grimble Grumble,
And little gnomes stay in their homes,
Eating, sleeping, Drinking their wine
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Rahz
Spore Viewer
Registered: 11/10/05
Posts: 1,953
Last seen: 1 hour, 51 minutes
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Re: Slang Usage of the Word Gay is not always offensive [Re: xFrockx]
#8414635 - 05/17/08 09:32 PM (4 months, 25 days ago) |
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>>>>What matters when a word is used is not tradition, but intent.
Bingo. With slanderous intent, any choice of words are slanderous. Some words have a way of invoking negative reactions in others, regardless of intent, but that's their responsibility.
Most people are gay though.
"Fag" is a curious word, indicating servant, or "lowest" if the intent is slanderous.
In both cases, the sexual aspect comes through the history of association.
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rahz
comfort pleasure power love truth awareness peace
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