Gay homosexual and gay happy Ask Question. Etymonline English to be happy and gay more to say:. American Indian Culture and Research Journal. The term's use as a reference to homosexuality may date as early as the late 19th century, but its use gradually increased in the midth century.
Over time, the liberalness of 'carefree' increased and by the s, it was used to describe someone of promiscuous sexual proclivities. YourDictionary definition and usage example.
There are those who reject the gay label for reasons other than shame or negative connotations. The word may have started to acquire associations of immorality as early as the 14th century, but had certainly acquired English to be happy and gay by the 17th. A gay bouquet of flowers. A female given name from the word gay, "joyful"; rare today.
I recall a time when "a gay old time" was unremarkable, but I don't recall a time when "I'm so gay" could mean "I'm so happy". This association no doubt helped the gradual narrowing in scope of the term towards its current dominant meaning, which was at first confined to subcultures.
And without your permission, no one can take it away. And it's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Delete Comment. Premier League. By Nicholas Lezard.
Stone, Sept—Oct While retaining its other meanings, its use among young people as a general term of disparagement is common. Use gay in a sentence. Retrieved 5 September