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

[Lohman446]

Exactly. The definition of "gay" is not 'something that sucks.

At this risk of a ban I have to di... .... oh nm

[ShooterJM]

At this risk of a ban I have to di... .... oh nm

Funny!

[SlartyBartFast]

Why not use some other completely arbitrary word? That's what it is, a completely arrbitrary word.

No. Get an education and look into the etymology of words and slang.

There a few, if any, completely arbitrary words or associations, slang or otherwise.

Trying to argue that the use of gay as a derogatory adjective, knowing full well its history, is simply an arbitrary is both stupid and ignorant.

If you DO think it is simply an arbitrary word, and are too pig-headed to learn and accept the history and offensiveness behind the use of the word, at least you could not be a hypocrit and live up to your own arguments.

Seeing as YOU are the one who finds it arbitrary, YOU should be able to accept changing your usage to another arbitrary word (or heaven forbid educate yourself and use proper descriptive grammer and vocabulary).

[red robot]

No. Get an education and look into the etymology of words and slang.

There a few, if any, completely arbitrary words or associations, slang or otherwise.

Trying to argue that the use of gay as a derogatory adjective, knowing full well its history, is simply an arbitrary is both stupid and ignorant.

If you DO think it is simply an arbitrary word, and are too pig-headed to learn and accept the history and offensiveness behind the use of the word, at least you could not be a hypocrit and live up to your own arguments.

Seeing as YOU are the one who finds it arbitrary, YOU should be able to accept changing your usage to another arbitrary word (or heaven forbid educate yourself and use proper descriptive grammer and vocabulary).

Hah, you misunderstood that post. My point was that when the word is used in describing something outside of it's definition, the word becomes arbitrary; you may as well use any other word because any other word would work just as well, unless you actually think that the word "gay" carries some offensive or insulting connotations -- but at that time you are using it as a derrogatory and that is wrong.

I have taken no offense to your post though it is very rude. I have not meant any offense to the people I am debating with and I intend on keeping it this way. Please do not "flame" anyone on this thread. Thanks.

[OysterBoy]

I found your post (Bart) to be rather arrogant and pig-headed (as you so eloquently put it). You find fault in anothers definition, so you decide to chastise them for their lack of intelligence... regardless of the fact he shows signs of intelligence and is, over-all, well read ?

It really all comes down to opinion, so I beleive it is a dead issue. Whether we're right or not, it isn't worth beating into the e-ground.

[Willystyle21]

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.

I didn't realize I had to give supporting info on why I agree with someone or not. And wether or not the English language is falling apart or not doesn't matter. I have read that in just about every civilization there are words used which have double or triple meanings ( yes I am quite cynical and sarcastic by the way). However if someone were to shoot at me, I would shoot back. Doesn't matter what they shot, bullets or stide comments.

[HoppysMag]

I have not meant any offense to the people I am debating with and I intend on keeping it this way. Please do not "flame" anyone on this thread. Thanks.

you havnt been that bad

but realize a language is what the people make it. its not a preset order of words and definitions.even the word gay doesnt traditionaly mean homosexuals, it too is a slang word, that has come to be accepted as a legitimate word. language decides the dictionary, not the other way around. and to try to change the course of a languages evolution is not only unnatural, but ultimatly futile. to take offense to the unfavorable use of a word is also pointless. you wont be able to change the peoples use of the word, and will only bring on the perception of a whiner upon yourself. to steal a line from my coach "gotta be like an orange. thick skin"

"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."

yet again, the use of the word gay to describe homosexuals is slang ( since acording to you languages dont change). so you should be disopointed with yourself.