"that's so gay!" - offensive, no?

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

Hmm. IMO (and I would think the majority opinion) derogatory = offensive.

The use of "gay" as a derision has only ONE linguistic root. Associating something with a negative view of homosexuals.

All those that use the term, yet claim not to be homophobic, are just too lazy or ignorant to actually learn some decent descriptive vocabulary. Or, they simply are homophobic.

Really, considering that the word is meaningless (unless you attach the negative homosexuality stigma) when it comes to actually describing something, what kind of communication are you expecting to establish by using the word?

As there are better, more descriptive words (and undoubtably acceptably sourced slang) to use, why the emotional attachment to the word?

I really should have taken the time to word my statement better.

What I meant is I don't find it offensive.

But I believe it to be a word rooted in someone's homophobia. If that makes anymore sense. I'm not quite sure that it does.

[SCpoloRicker]

You don't know me very well then. Lets just say I am very opposed to homosexuality and we will leave it at that.

At what point did I miss it? Seriously, I believe I implied that you dislike homosexuals, mainly because you said you were Republican. Where's the misrepresentation?

Try reading another book, moran. Or for that matter, try actually reading it for yourself instead of allowing someone else to tell you what it means?

[Kai]

I'm gay.

[red robot]

Honestly I think this whole debate is just stupid. I have been known to say "thats gay" or "wow he a is ***" but I dont mean it because of their sexual orienation but rather as the definition our soceity has made the words out to be. So many words used to be offensive but now dont. For examples saying "this sucks." I dont get offensive if someone ever said "wow thats straight (in a negative sense)"

I am all with kevmaster I feel that people should be able to say what they want when they want. Maybe I am too big of a conservative republican, but I think this debate is just stupid.

Conservative?! Shouldn't you have something to say about the degradation of the English language? Furthermore, we're discussing why society has twisted the definition of this word. Clearly it is now used as some sort of insult. It's also pretty obvious that homosexuality is unapproved of. So, if you use this word "gay" in place of 'ugly' or 'ignorant,' not only are you implying that the definition of gay is "ugly" or "ignorant" -- using gay as a synonym in this case, but you are also damaging your sentnce by replacing the proper diction with debatable non-sense.


Bornl33t, I would like to know why you "d[e]spise" gays? I don't understand how that is a logical decision for you to make. Sexual preference is such an arbitrary reasons to hate someone so strongly; why not despise them because of the color of their hair?

On another note. Kevmaster! My brother attends Duke University. He earned a full ride on the universtiy scholars program. Pretty cool.

[Echo419]

But they want my bum

[wimag]

Pot, meet Kettle. Tough guy.

umm you to ??

[Mango]

It's only gay if you push back.

[OysterBoy]

It's only gay if you push back.

Sorry Mango, that was a lie..

[Willystyle21]

wussies

I have to side with Kev. And to respond to an earlier comment, only those who the derogatory comment is made to should be offended. All this PC BS has really gotten out of control. What, if you whine enough will your mommy come to stop the big kids from beating you into a mudhole. Grow up and grow a pair. You don't like it? Don't listen to it, you have that power. Or go live somewhere in the middle east where just about everything you do is regulated, then maybe you might think about somethings alittle more before complaining about them.

[red robot]

I have to side with Kev. And to respond to an earlier comment, only those who the derogatory comment is made to should be offended. All this PC BS has really gotten out of control. What, if you whine enough will your mommy come to stop the big kids from beating you into a mudhole. Grow up and grow a pair. You don't like it? Don't listen to it, you have that power. Or go live somewhere in the middle east where just about everything you do is regulated, then maybe you might think about somethings alittle more before complaining about them.

By your logic:

If I go around shooting people it should not concern you. I am not shooting you so you have no right to be upset. Wait, aren't we supposed to change that which we don't like? Shouldn't we do all we can to make this the best of all possible worlds? Even if that which we are opposed to does not directly affect us?

Also, this is not a complaint thread. I am not complaining to you, I am gathering information and telling you why it is wrong to use "gay'" as a synonym to anything other than homosexuality or any other of it's direct definitions.

The claim that you are siding with Kevmaster is false and unsupported. Kevmaster stated that the word could be proved both offensive to those who take offense to it, and inoffensive to those that do not take offense to it. Kevmaster has made a formidable defense, but the fact that all gays, and people that are saddened by the disintegration of the english language, take offense to the improper use of the word should be reason enough to stop using it.

[mcveighr]

I was going to quote one of Kev's posts but my moust isnt attached to the computer so it was too much of a hassle.


Guy1:
"Man Walmart is charging twice as much as Zellers for that snowblower!!!"

Guy2:
"They're so jewish!"


Whats the difference between this, and the saying "gay" in such a derogatory sense.
For the record I don't have anything against jews or gays.

[red robot]

It's the same argument. It implies that the definition of "jewish" includes stingy, greedy, etc..... That is not what "jewish" means. Why do people use it out of it's definition?

Hmmm, I suppose using the word "cool" would be a good attack on this statement, however, using the word "cool" doesn't cause harm to any person or persons. It is an instance of using a word out of it's true definition, but because it is not inflicting any mental or physical pain I don't find it to be harmful. There are better ways to describe something, though, and I think that someone should consult their full arsenal of vocabulary before choosing a word like "cool" or "good."

[paintballrulzs]

At what point did I miss it? Seriously, I believe I implied that you dislike homosexuals, mainly because you said you were Republican. Where's the misrepresentation?

Try reading another book, moran. Or for that matter, try actually reading it for yourself instead of allowing someone else to tell you what it means?

Are you kidding me? You said that I can't be that big of a conservative if I don't hate gays. So where is the problem. I responded and said you don't know me very well and dont want to go into depth and possibly offend some people.

[SlartyBartFast]

It's the same argument. It implies that the definition of "jewish" includes stingy, greedy, etc..... That is not what "jewish" means. Why do people use it out of it's definition?

Hmmm, I suppose using the word "cool" would be a good attack on this statement, however, using the word "cool" doesn't cause harm to any person or persons. It is an instance of using a word out of it's true definition, but because it is not inflicting any mental or physical pain I don't find it to be harmful. There are better ways to describe something, though, and I think that someone should consult their full arsenal of vocabulary before choosing a word like "cool" or "good."

Congratulations. Someone who understands what the fuss is about.
(same goes for the jewish analogy)

[ShooterJM]

So the lesson is....

Don't say: Dude, your new pink jetta is gay.

Say: Excuse me sir, your new pink jetta, in my opinion, would seem to be an accessory to the lifestyle that a sterotypically homosexual male would choose, not that there is anything wrong with that.