The 'GAY' Word
Word rescue contest34 total reviews
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
I was watching Divorce Court last week (It's my guilty pleasure) and they used the word literally in a sentence with I literally died...Judge Lynn informed her that she didn't literally die because she wouldn't be in court if she literally died. It made me laugh and as I read this that's all I could think about. Same idea just different word that had one meaning but somehow we, as people, spun the definition to make it what we wanted it to mean.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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I was watching Divorce Court last week (It's my guilty pleasure) and they used the word literally in a sentence with I literally died...Judge Lynn informed her that she didn't literally die because she wouldn't be in court if she literally died. It made me laugh and as I read this that's all I could think about. Same idea just different word that had one meaning but somehow we, as people, spun the definition to make it what we wanted it to mean.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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I love it when people stop the action and focus. Great example. Thanks.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You supported your position well. I totally agree that the word gay will never mean what it did years ago.
What about women who were named "Gay"? What about the singer Marvin Gay?
I see the English language being corrupted by many more words that lose their original meaning in a bad way.
Good job with your thoughts. They were expressed well--in a non-threatening way.
I see no changes. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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You supported your position well. I totally agree that the word gay will never mean what it did years ago.
What about women who were named "Gay"? What about the singer Marvin Gay?
I see the English language being corrupted by many more words that lose their original meaning in a bad way.
Good job with your thoughts. They were expressed well--in a non-threatening way.
I see no changes. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Thanks so much.
Comment from LIJ Red
There ain't no hope for gay. "and we'll all be gay when Johnny comes marching home" I think the last time I heard gay used in it's true meaning was the Jim Reeves song Partners. Which is sad. Exuberant just don't cut it in poetry.
Excellent essay.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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There ain't no hope for gay. "and we'll all be gay when Johnny comes marching home" I think the last time I heard gay used in it's true meaning was the Jim Reeves song Partners. Which is sad. Exuberant just don't cut it in poetry.
Excellent essay.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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You are a riot. I'd like to know you. Thanks.
Comment from Jay Squires
I couldn't agree with you more about the evolution of "gay" from "lighthearted, cheerful, happy". Gay has become a "snicker" word, ranking right up there with "prick" and "rape" (as in "Rape of the Lock"
"He's niggerly with his time." [I think you meant NIGGARDLY here. I can't find a definition for "niggerly", but niggardly means cheap, mean, miserly. According to my source "niggardly" and "nigger" have no connection with each other.
I never connected with "gyp" as a shortened form of "gypsy" (I'm assuming that's where it derived.)
A fabulous essay, Ingrid.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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I couldn't agree with you more about the evolution of "gay" from "lighthearted, cheerful, happy". Gay has become a "snicker" word, ranking right up there with "prick" and "rape" (as in "Rape of the Lock"
"He's niggerly with his time." [I think you meant NIGGARDLY here. I can't find a definition for "niggerly", but niggardly means cheap, mean, miserly. According to my source "niggardly" and "nigger" have no connection with each other.
I never connected with "gyp" as a shortened form of "gypsy" (I'm assuming that's where it derived.)
A fabulous essay, Ingrid.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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You bet. The gypsies are still gated in Europe and deemed to be the thieves one must guard against. Removed the niggardly line. Thanks.
Comment from Cajungirl
THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL WRITE. THE WORD GAY HAS INDEED GONE THROUGH A BIGG TRANSFORMATION. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS WOULD THINK OF IT NOW. I ENJOYED THE READ VERY MUCH AND WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN THE CONTEST. THIS IS A PERFECT ENTRY.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL WRITE. THE WORD GAY HAS INDEED GONE THROUGH A BIGG TRANSFORMATION. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS WOULD THINK OF IT NOW. I ENJOYED THE READ VERY MUCH AND WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN THE CONTEST. THIS IS A PERFECT ENTRY.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Thanks so much, especially for the stars. Wow!
Comment from zanya
A wonderful conclusion following an interesting analysis - and ultimately isn't that the 'raison d'etre' of our human need to make intelligible sounds - so as to be better understood
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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A wonderful conclusion following an interesting analysis - and ultimately isn't that the 'raison d'etre' of our human need to make intelligible sounds - so as to be better understood
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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Thanks so much.
Comment from Donald O. Cassidy
I can readily identify with your attitude about the word "gay." Among your expressions of gay in former use, I add this one: "When our hearts were young and gay." I believe that at least one measure in a popular song. Perhaps it was a title in the 1920s or 30s.
I think it's nothing less than high jacking to steal a word and distort. I like your expanding on the earlier meaning and the changes that are not joyous.
Don
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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I can readily identify with your attitude about the word "gay." Among your expressions of gay in former use, I add this one: "When our hearts were young and gay." I believe that at least one measure in a popular song. Perhaps it was a title in the 1920s or 30s.
I think it's nothing less than high jacking to steal a word and distort. I like your expanding on the earlier meaning and the changes that are not joyous.
Don
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
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My second choice in this prompt was retard. In it's original form it meant delayed development00in my mind a very kind word. It offered hope, deferred--for a catch up. Mongoloid in the literal sense, meant stupid and finally Downs syndrome was a label. Words...
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Bravo! Language does change, and it's meant to. If it didn't, we'd all sound like Shakespeare when we chat.
Words can build bridges, but they can also build walls. << Love this... good insight!
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2015
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Bravo! Language does change, and it's meant to. If it didn't, we'd all sound like Shakespeare when we chat.
Words can build bridges, but they can also build walls. << Love this... good insight!
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2015
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Thanks so much, Phylliss.
Comment from judiverse
This was an excellent choice of word to use for the writing prompt contest. You take us through the different meanings of "gay" and its origins and contemporary usage. I've watched episodes of a movie series, "The Falcon." The man's name was Gaylord but his nickname was Gay. One of the films was titled "The Gay Falcon." That must confuse people looking through the movie titles today. Excellent comment about something beginning as beauty turning into garbage. Excellent commentary. judi
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2015
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This was an excellent choice of word to use for the writing prompt contest. You take us through the different meanings of "gay" and its origins and contemporary usage. I've watched episodes of a movie series, "The Falcon." The man's name was Gaylord but his nickname was Gay. One of the films was titled "The Gay Falcon." That must confuse people looking through the movie titles today. Excellent comment about something beginning as beauty turning into garbage. Excellent commentary. judi
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2015
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Many thanks. My second choice was retard. but this resonates in daily language.
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You're welcome. "Gay" was a good choice. judi
Comment from Sasha
Sorry for the cliche, but you hit the nail on the head with this one. This is superbly written and covers the subject very well. You convey your point with your usual excellence. It is a terrific entry for this contest and I sincerely wish you all the best.
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2015
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Sorry for the cliche, but you hit the nail on the head with this one. This is superbly written and covers the subject very well. You convey your point with your usual excellence. It is a terrific entry for this contest and I sincerely wish you all the best.
Comment Written 18-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 18-Apr-2015
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Manu thanks, amiga.
