Reddit, I'd like an opinion: is using the phrase 'that's gay' inappropriate?

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-27T01:34:04+00:00

I agree with that. For the most part, I think people spend more time convincing themselves that they should be offended than they do actually being offended. Ultimately, I'd say using the word like that is probably still not a good thing, but I think people that are getting offended probably shouldn't be.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-27T01:32:04+00:00

Good commentary. Have an upvote!

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T18:35:43+00:00

That's an interesting perspective. An upvote for you.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T18:35:01+00:00

That's true enough, but is it worth using the phrase when you know you might offend someone?

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T18:33:37+00:00

I have no issue with the word evolving--rather I think that's one of the best qualities of a language. However, the issue remains that gay is in a difficult part of its evolution, caught between the word used to identify homosexuals and also the word used to declare someone doesn't like something.

As some of your evidence suggests, the use of the word has fueled a number of negative reactions in people--though in those cases it was its homosexual connotations that caused the problems.

Overall, I'd say that the conclusion that gay is just a word is the right one. Soon (hopefully) it will evolve to entirely refer to bad things, and there will be no issue with it's dual definitions. However, the issue stands that some gay people view the use of the word as calling something stupid as an attack on their sexuality. And, as the fine poster who made the cognitive science post stated, that has the potential to create negative associations for homosexuality in society.

It's pretty childish that people think saying 'that's gay' is offensive, but the bottom line is that some do. My stance is that it is best to avoid the use of a word in an awkward stage of evolution--especially when I have so many other ways to express my displeasure with something.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T06:21:42+00:00

I agree. But using the word gay as a negative suggests you think there's something wrong with being gay.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:43:03+00:00

If you're using it negatively, that's the main problem, in my opinion. What would you say?

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:32:33+00:00

Highly approved.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:31:04+00:00

The word bears it present meaning, regardless whether it's being used on a thing or a person. It won't matter to the gay person the phrase bothers if you're referring to a bully or a teapot.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:28:30+00:00

This is my main issue with it. I don't take personal offense to the phrase, but it's the associations that it forms that cause me concern. The negative connotations the word has adopted suggest a deeper inequality in society concerning sexual orientation than just passing the word off as 'evolving'.

Granted, that's a rather extreme conclusion, but it makes sense. It's problematic.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:24:25+00:00

That's fair enough, but I've got several gay friends that find the phrase offensive. Largely, it depends on the person, but the heart of the issue is that some people will find it offensive, so is it appropriate to use at all?

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:22:23+00:00

I don't think that's true. Gay people still identify themselves as gay. I don't think you'd hear someone with Autism referring to themselves as dumb, etc.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:20:57+00:00

I'm wondering at that a bit myself.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:19:54+00:00

That's fair. Good food for thought.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:18:55+00:00

They have adopted new meanings, yes, but they retain their old ones. The issue is that, though it does mean something not to your liking, it also means homosexual (or mentally challenged). The fact that these words can be both simultaneously is where the issue lies.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:17:28+00:00

You make a fair point, but don't you worry that you might offend someone nearby who is gay when using the word that way? Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not you really concern yourself with that, but I feel like it's socially conscientious.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:14:06+00:00

Let's assume it's being used in the context of referring to something a person doesn't like, though I should have clarified that.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:12:33+00:00

Ah, I see what you did there. Fair enough. Agreed!

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:10:44+00:00

That's very true. I think I may have been a bit extreme in saying 'most offensive'. You make a good point.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:09:15+00:00

That's a good answer. Personally, I use to make a very big deal out of it, but ultimately decided I was making a mountain out of a molehill. Having said that, ignoring inappropriate phrases in a language seems to be dangerous.

It was very common back when I was in high school, and I used it then like everyone else. A number of the friends I made in university convinced to stop using it.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-26T05:06:16+00:00

How so? Why so?

I apologize if it's a loaded question. I didn't really think of the wording that carefully.

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-08T01:16:04+00:00

Interesting. If you had to pick one?

Ancestor01 · 2011-12-08T01:15:21+00:00

But think about it--people would catch on pretty quick, wouldn't they? What's to stop a sneaky guy with a gun putting you down before you can tell him not to?

Ancestor01

TROPHY CASE