The Word 'queer' Used To Mean 'odd' Or 'eccentric'.

[dave50]

Now it refers to homosexuals. I would have thought the transition of the meaning from 'odd' to now meaning homosexual would be offensive to gays. Perhaps that why this word started to be used for gays, implying that indeed they were 'odd' or 'eccentric' Any thoughts?

[Svejk]

I'd imagine that's right. I don't think it's considered offensive anymore. (although, who knows from one week to another with these things)

[EcclesCake]

I don't think I have heard any of my contemporaries use 'queer' to describe any one who is gay, I think of it as a rather outmoded term.

Perhaps it is a regional thing.

[Gromit]

The word was a derogitory name for an homosexual. But it seems to have been now claimed by them presumably to blunt its offensiveness. Rather like black people now use N*gger.

[bhg481]

"Queer" was the standard term when I was a teenager 50 years ago.

[ichkeria]

"Queer" still means "odd" or strange
It has been used to mean "homosexual" for over a hundred years, as a derogatory term, plainly not by accident. More recently it has been "reclaimed" by gay people as a distinctive identifier.

[maggiebee]

Scottish expression "nowt sae queer as fowk" has nothing to do with homosexuality and is used regularly where I come from.

[gness]

None of my family and friends use the word queer in regards to homosexuality......

I have, of course, heard it used from time to time...usually only by those of limited intelligence...although I believe there is a move to reclaim it.....
Lord knows why.

[hc4361]

Hard to believe that the word 'queer' was first used as a word for homosexual in the 1890s and it was an insult. I believe it originally only applied to effeminate homosexual men so could it be a corruption of 'queer queen' although I don't know when 'queen' was first used in that sense.

[paddywak]

I think you'll find "Odd" or "Queer" for homosexuals was in use long before the term "Gay" which didn't become really popular in the sense it is now untill the 60-70s.Before that gay was used mainly in it's original meaning of being or having a merry,happy time it was also at one time a popula girls name though spelt Gaye.Another good old traditional word Hi-Jacked.

[jennyjoan]

Yes I have wondered how did homosexuals become gay - years ago gay meant happy - where did gay come from. I was always curious at that.

[Gromit]

Not sure the words have been hijacked. Queer and Gay are euphemisms. Usually not spoken by homosexuals but of homosexuals by others.

[hc4361]

Gay has been used as a term for homosexuals since at least the 1930s and before then it meant sexually liberated or sexual excess - a gay woman was a prostitute, a gay house a brothel.

[MargoTester]

Nowt so queer as folk is widely used in N England particularly Yorkshire and also in Wales.

[Retrochic]

I don't know any homosexuals who describe themselves as 'queer'. I would find that offensive. my grandfather used to call homosexuals 'mofli-dites' which I guess was a corruption of hermaphrodite which in itself was a strange comparison. Of course all 'gay' people are different so for some 'queer' will be offensive, to others a stand against bigotry.

[Gromit]

A gay man was a womaniser.

[Gromit]

Gay probably replaced 'Molly' in England to mean an homosexual man. Before there were ever Gay Bars, there were Molly Houses - taverns where homosexual men met.

[sandyRoe]

There was a play: Mother Clap's Molly house.

[retrocop]

I used the expression " in queer st" earlier in another OP.I meant no offence.it is just an old harmless word like queer ones pitch. Hijacked by those who feign offence.

[jennyjoan]

Gromit Are you saying my lovely Aunt Molly was really a homosexual all these years. LOL She did create 3 lovely children.

Yes my mother used to call hermaphradites - her maphrodites - she hadn't a clue what she was talking about but she did use it to describe a woman who looked like a big man to her.

Years ago she was staying in London with my brother and washed her undies which was called a "stay" - you know all in one bra with corset attached. Somebody stole it off the line and she always said a transistor stole it meaning transvestite.

[retrocop]

Trans sister may have been closer. :-)