just how did homosexuals earn the term "GAY" ?

Some of the ones I have met have me are far from any gaiety. In fact some exhibit a brooding persona. 

By the mid 17th century, according to an Oxford dictionary definition at the time, the meaning of the word had changed to mean  “addicted to pleasures and dissipations.  Often euphemistically: Of loose and immoral life”.  This is an extension of one of the original meanings of “carefree”, meaning more or less uninhibited.  

 

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/02/how-gay-came-to-mean-homosexual/

I guess i must be old fashioned, when I see a spade the word "spade" is the word that springs to mind. 🙂

just how did homosexuals earn the term "GAY" ?

 

They didn't have to earn it. It happened in the same way that words like bully, cute, husband, matrix, nervous and nice have changed meaning over time. It happens because English is a living language.

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

just how did homosexuals earn the term "GAY" ?

 

They didn't have to earn it. It happened in the same way that words like bully, cute, husband, matrix, nervous and nice have changed meaning over time. It happens because English is a living language.

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yes.........

However, my nephew and his partner can really be described as gay.................. no question about it. Both are very happy, outgoing and flamboyant.

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

 It happens because English is a living language.

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No wonder that there is so much misunderstanding among English speaking countries and people.

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@poddster wrote:

just how did homosexuals earn the term "GAY" ?

Some of the ones I have met have me are far from any gaiety. In fact some exhibit a brooding persona. 

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Just like the rest of humans perhaps?    

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@poddster wrote:

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

 It happens because English is a living language.

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No wonder that there is so much misunderstanding among English speaking countries and people.

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It's not only english that evolving. All language changes with time.

Homophobia -

 

The irrational fear that 3 gay men will break into your house,

and redecorate without your consent!

I don't sniff my neighbours' butts, nor do I stick my face in their croth for a sniff, I don't eat my babies after births nor do I eat their poo or wee...
To say something is natural because animals do it is just not on.
We are not animals