close
    1. Home
      2. ›
    2. Social Science
      3. ›
    3. Sociology
      4. ›
    4. How did the word "gay" come to mean homosexual?
    How did the word "gay" come to mean homosexual?

    Hint:  It was actively used in the 1930's in the prison system.

    Answer this
    +4  Views: 1365 Answers: 9 Posted: 13 years ago
    Comment this question

      9 Answers

      Don't know but it is certainly more acceptable than poofters ,faggots ,lemons & dykes I think.

      13 years ago. Rating: 9
      Comment this answer

        Colleen

        Moderator
        Yes, it is more acceptable as those are detogatory terms while gay was a code word used in the 30's for homosexuals to communicate with other homosexuals. ;)
        commented 13 years ago
        carmaxable

        fruity in the booty
        commented 13 years ago
        melandrupert

        Tommy you for got to mention one word in My Mothers day they were called Nancy boys wierd a lol
        commented 13 years ago
        Tommyh

        Way back then (In the 60s)We had a habit of calling gay men "Cats".I don't know whether that was connected to gay cats from the prison system or what.I don't know whether it was a universal saying or localized to our area.But,on looking back,it wasn't all that bad considering the other terms that were available.
        I think the thing that turned most people against gay men was the habit of a minority of them to hang around public toilets etc.on the chance of finding a willing partner.These were the "Cats" I'm referring to.
        commented 13 years ago
        itsmee

        and then there were cool cats which just meant guys that dressed cool.
        commented 13 years ago
        Tommyh

        LOL Itsmee
        commented 13 years ago

        The word gay is from the Old French gai, meaning "merry."  It came to mean reckless sefl-indulgence in the seventeenth century, and it wasn't until the 1930s that its homosesexual connotation came out of the prison system, where the expression "gay-cat" meant a younger, inexperienced man who, in order to survive, traded his virtue for the protection and experience of an older convict.

        13 years ago. Rating: 9
        Comment this answer

          Colleen

          Moderator
          Hmm, I'm thinking "gay cat" came to be after the "gay code" was found out. This code was also used in mental institutes where gays were sent by the law to be healed of their sickness. Most of those gays were "cured" by having lobotomies done to them.
          commented 13 years ago
          Chiangmai

          You may have a point there.
          commented 13 years ago
          Tommyh

          Oh the damage done by do gooders to the so called mentally ill.It makes me sick the way people judge others without realising what the circumstances are.
          commented 13 years ago

          I thought it came from the 1930s which meant bright and buetiful and as Colleen pointed out it was a code name, besides that I love the name Gay its a happy word

          13 years ago. Rating: 8
          Comment this answer

            So far so good.  Let's see if we can get a few more answers.

            13 years ago. Rating: 8
            Comment this answer

              Years ago it meant bright, colourful.

              13 years ago. Rating: 8
              Comment this answer

                itsmee

                it still does, i think.
                commented 13 years ago

                It started out as code word used by homosexuals to identify themselves to other homosexuals. It's a word that could be applied easily in general conversation. As simple as that.

                13 years ago. Rating: 7
                Comment this answer

                  Maz

                  How interesting.
                  commented 13 years ago
                  melandrupert

                  Good Answer Collen and how true I would like to mention how persacuted they all were and what a life they must have in those days it must have been terrible god bless them lol
                  commented 13 years ago

                  happy, bright, colourful people. I would think that if for a portion of your life you had to hide who you really are, when the truth comes out...this is exactly how you would feel.

                  13 years ago. Rating: 7
                  Comment this answer

                    I'm still waiting to be enlightened as to where the next war will be.:)

                    13 years ago. Rating: 4
                    Comment this answer

                      Tommyh

                      & I'm still waiting Chiangmai!!
                      commented 13 years ago
                      Chiangmai

                      North Korea. We are dealing with a nut case here, and he would not hesitate drawing big China into this. We have to do it right or it'll be a real mess. America is slowing deploying troops into that region now.
                      commented 13 years ago
                      Tommyh

                      Yep.You are right.It does need watching.They are dangerous.Thanks chiangmai.
                      commented 13 years ago

                      Ive heard it mentioned, it can mean as good as you,which sounds o/k

                      13 years ago. Rating: 3
                      Comment this answer



                        Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question.

                        Top contributors in Sociology category

                         
                        ROMOS
                        Answers: 30 / Questions: 0
                        Karma: 2900
                         
                        Benthere
                        Answers: 1 / Questions: 0
                        Karma: 2775
                         
                        Bob/PKB
                        Answers: 20 / Questions: 16
                        Karma: 2745
                         
                        jhharlan
                        Answers: 21 / Questions: 0
                        Karma: 2460
                        > Top contributors chart
                        466431
                        questions
                        722239
                        answers
                        785347
                        users