The 'GAY' Word
Word rescue contest34 total reviews
Comment from BeasPeas
A very good write about the actual meaning of a word being hijacked for misuse. Sad to say, you are right that "gay," especially, is a word that we will never be able to use in any other context anymore. Marilyn
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
  |
A very good write about the actual meaning of a word being hijacked for misuse. Sad to say, you are right that "gay," especially, is a word that we will never be able to use in any other context anymore. Marilyn
Comment Written 21-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
-
It is a shame. Interesting, you and I understand the lyrical aspects of the word, for others, it means just one thing. Thanks.
Comment from Charlene0513
I firmly agree; too many times the action of the noun supersedes the meaning of the word. We need to show our disapproval by incessantly taking on the subject and over ride those that oppose it. It is a shame that a beautiful word got the dirty end of the stick.
Charlene0513
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
|
I firmly agree; too many times the action of the noun supersedes the meaning of the word. We need to show our disapproval by incessantly taking on the subject and over ride those that oppose it. It is a shame that a beautiful word got the dirty end of the stick.
Charlene0513
Comment Written 21-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
-
We have no pother choice than to accept the new meaning. /Thanks for reading.
Comment from Dean Kuch
Funny you should mention this particular word, Ingrid. Just last week on one of the many cartoon channels, my wife's cousin brought his twelve-year-old daughter over for me to keep an eye on her for a few hours while he did "grown up things". That old classic, The Flintstones came on with its trademark theme song...you know the one. One of the very last lines in the song proclaims, "we'll have a gay old time!", which elicited fits of laughter from (we'll call her) Betsy.
'Oh...you like the Flintstones, I asked?
"Not really, but didn't you hear what they just said in that song?"
'Yeah, I've heard that song a million times. What about it?'
"They said that we're gonna have a gay old time, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
'Well, Betsy, that word didn't used to mean then what it does today. In the context in which they've used the word, it simply means we'll have lots of fun just by watching the Flintstones.'
"Oh. Well I think they should change it now. It sounds so gay."
I stuck my head in the oven for a full fifteen minutes before I realized we no longer have a gas oven, but electric. My ears are still burning, and so are Betsy's after I told her dad about it. I think they had a long father to daughter talk on the subject, if you know what I mean.
Just another of many examples to illustrate the point you're making...
Good luck in the contest...
~Dean
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
|
Funny you should mention this particular word, Ingrid. Just last week on one of the many cartoon channels, my wife's cousin brought his twelve-year-old daughter over for me to keep an eye on her for a few hours while he did "grown up things". That old classic, The Flintstones came on with its trademark theme song...you know the one. One of the very last lines in the song proclaims, "we'll have a gay old time!", which elicited fits of laughter from (we'll call her) Betsy.
'Oh...you like the Flintstones, I asked?
"Not really, but didn't you hear what they just said in that song?"
'Yeah, I've heard that song a million times. What about it?'
"They said that we're gonna have a gay old time, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
'Well, Betsy, that word didn't used to mean then what it does today. In the context in which they've used the word, it simply means we'll have lots of fun just by watching the Flintstones.'
"Oh. Well I think they should change it now. It sounds so gay."
I stuck my head in the oven for a full fifteen minutes before I realized we no longer have a gas oven, but electric. My ears are still burning, and so are Betsy's after I told her dad about it. I think they had a long father to daughter talk on the subject, if you know what I mean.
Just another of many examples to illustrate the point you're making...
Good luck in the contest...
~Dean
Comment Written 21-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
-
Dean. that's a wonderful story. I enjoyed is very much. Great illustration of this generation's 'evolution.' Thanks.
-
I hope it was a good response to your essay, Ingrid. It's all true.
You're very welcome, my friend. Good luck! ;)
Comment from Judy Couch
You tackled a word that is hard to deal with and did a spectacular job of presenting all sides of the picture. I can remember when gay meant happy and joyful. People named their baby girls "Gay". I guess we can't go back to those days now.
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
 |
You tackled a word that is hard to deal with and did a spectacular job of presenting all sides of the picture. I can remember when gay meant happy and joyful. People named their baby girls "Gay". I guess we can't go back to those days now.
Comment Written 21-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
-
No, I don't think we can go back, and I strongly believe that along with the electronic age, this time in history will be recorded as the 'Gay Revolution.'
Thanks for all the stars. Greatly appreciated.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was a really informative piece of writing. I remember as a child using the word, gay, as being happy and fun. My first encounter with the other meaning was when I was watching a soap on the TV called, Crossroads. An actor came on for one or two episodes, who I now know was gay, and he fluttered his eyes and 'limped' his hand. I didn't know anything about being gay then and it was a long time after that it was explained to me. His expression, 'What a gay day' soon took on, and I think that might have been the start of it. Well done, and good luck in the contest. xsx sandra
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
|
That was a really informative piece of writing. I remember as a child using the word, gay, as being happy and fun. My first encounter with the other meaning was when I was watching a soap on the TV called, Crossroads. An actor came on for one or two episodes, who I now know was gay, and he fluttered his eyes and 'limped' his hand. I didn't know anything about being gay then and it was a long time after that it was explained to me. His expression, 'What a gay day' soon took on, and I think that might have been the start of it. Well done, and good luck in the contest. xsx sandra
Comment Written 21-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2015
-
You could be right. That may have been the beginning. I didn't run into this expression until I was an adult. Thanks.
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Ingrid,
well, to tell you the truth, I feel duped... I remember growing up with the word gay and heard it so many times in movies and on the playground... now I'm confused to what I watched and heard so innocent and naively... has it always meant a homosexual male? Why not a homosexual woman? But these days even a lesbian is referred to as gay... I feel like I never actually knew the meaning of the word right from the start... did my parents know and neglect to tell me that as I skipped around saying what a wonderful gay time I was having? And speaking of gay-times... hmmmmmmmmmm, my favorite all-time ice cream... that beautiful vanilla, butterscotch-crumb covered delight on a stick... was this a manipulated initiation into the life of a gay time?? Ah life's so damn confusing... I'm still trying to get over the condemnations of growing up with... camp, faggot, cat, fudge-packer and so on.
Why are people so unkind? My wish, people would just grow up and stop worrying about what has no bearing on what makes a human being good or bad.
So once again my writer extraordinaire, not only have you entertained with your views and masterful use of words, you have hit this contest prompt with one of the most controversial word changes of all time... well I know it is for me... now I have to paper-bag my quarry from the supper market before consuming my gaytime behind close doors... I've been the jibe of too many village people comments already... smile))))))))).
Gay, happy, ecstatic... over the moon, doesn't worry me one bit... I'm open to change!
With our thoughts we create,
an image
James vx's
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2015
|
Hi Ingrid,
well, to tell you the truth, I feel duped... I remember growing up with the word gay and heard it so many times in movies and on the playground... now I'm confused to what I watched and heard so innocent and naively... has it always meant a homosexual male? Why not a homosexual woman? But these days even a lesbian is referred to as gay... I feel like I never actually knew the meaning of the word right from the start... did my parents know and neglect to tell me that as I skipped around saying what a wonderful gay time I was having? And speaking of gay-times... hmmmmmmmmmm, my favorite all-time ice cream... that beautiful vanilla, butterscotch-crumb covered delight on a stick... was this a manipulated initiation into the life of a gay time?? Ah life's so damn confusing... I'm still trying to get over the condemnations of growing up with... camp, faggot, cat, fudge-packer and so on.
Why are people so unkind? My wish, people would just grow up and stop worrying about what has no bearing on what makes a human being good or bad.
So once again my writer extraordinaire, not only have you entertained with your views and masterful use of words, you have hit this contest prompt with one of the most controversial word changes of all time... well I know it is for me... now I have to paper-bag my quarry from the supper market before consuming my gaytime behind close doors... I've been the jibe of too many village people comments already... smile))))))))).
Gay, happy, ecstatic... over the moon, doesn't worry me one bit... I'm open to change!
With our thoughts we create,
an image
James vx's
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2015
-
I'm not an expert when the Gay Movement actually was acknowledged as such--perhaps late seventies or eighties. Until then, feeling gay, as we both knew the word, meant joyful and happy with no sexual connotation at all. Enjoy your ice cream and try not to let your imagination to take over or you might gag...LOL...oh dear, I think I have an evil streak. Did I put an image in your head?
Thanks for the stars, my Aussie muffin.
-
Thanks for the laugh you sick puppy, but not the image ... ahhhhhhhhh, no swallowing, I'm spitin' vx's.
Comment from jlsavell
Ingrid, as always your commentaries are well worth the read. Polished, logical and tactful are a few of the words I would use to describe a subject such as this which needs to be addressed. You never disappoint Ingrid, not ever.. Jimi
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2015
|
Ingrid, as always your commentaries are well worth the read. Polished, logical and tactful are a few of the words I would use to describe a subject such as this which needs to be addressed. You never disappoint Ingrid, not ever.. Jimi
Comment Written 20-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2015
-
Perhaps I don't fail you because I crawl up onto my soap box with the same determination as I might if I had the strength or inclination to scale Everest. Thanks.
Comment from GWHARGIS
I don't really pay that much attention to what people say. As a mother of three teenagers I am hearing new words every darned day. By the end of a couple of weeks the words are out dated and new slang has replaced them. I am,myself, guilty of calling people retards. I am not politically correct by any means, but I have enough sense not to blurt it out. I used to tease my mother when she'd say she was feeling gay. I'd always ask her if Dad knew. Lol. Great essay. Greychen
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
|
I don't really pay that much attention to what people say. As a mother of three teenagers I am hearing new words every darned day. By the end of a couple of weeks the words are out dated and new slang has replaced them. I am,myself, guilty of calling people retards. I am not politically correct by any means, but I have enough sense not to blurt it out. I used to tease my mother when she'd say she was feeling gay. I'd always ask her if Dad knew. Lol. Great essay. Greychen
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
-
I never stoop to that level. I call them F***ing Assholes and I can't imagine how anyone could be offended by that/ LOL Thanks.
Comment from livelylinda
Spiritual Echo: a word is but a word. It is the mean people in our world who use words to hurt us. However, that thought is rather comical. If you are gay, it is not an insult to be called gay. If you are Jewish, it is not an insult to be called a Jew . . . Jesus was a Jew. If you are black, it is not an insult to be called black. We could discuss this forever, but my time is running out. Nice writing and good luck in the contest. livelylinda
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
|
Spiritual Echo: a word is but a word. It is the mean people in our world who use words to hurt us. However, that thought is rather comical. If you are gay, it is not an insult to be called gay. If you are Jewish, it is not an insult to be called a Jew . . . Jesus was a Jew. If you are black, it is not an insult to be called black. We could discuss this forever, but my time is running out. Nice writing and good luck in the contest. livelylinda
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
-
Yes, but darling, if a black man is called a nigger or a Jew is called a kike. words can incite. Gay was an evolution, not the original meaning and somehow homo didn't cut it either. I like that homosexuals adopted the word gay. It's a happy word, even though most homosexuals had to pat a hefty price for their normal.
Comment from Spitfire
Great choice of a word and how it's changed to the point where we don't dare to use it except to describe those who veer from the norm. Your last paragraph is a wise observation with its paradoxical thinking.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
|
Great choice of a word and how it's changed to the point where we don't dare to use it except to describe those who veer from the norm. Your last paragraph is a wise observation with its paradoxical thinking.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2015
-
Thank you very much.
