History of the Word Gay

Gay is a term most frequently know as meaning homosexual or in the accent thats gay to describe anything in a disconfirming way, but this term is also commonly know to eat meant happy or cheerful. The understanding of how or why this word has changed so drastically is, in fact, something most pot dont know. It is a misconception that the word derived into the comment of homosexual because these people ar happy and t here(predicate)fore gay. By looking at the etymology of this word it is easy to see how it has taken this form and how the say of thats gay has come to be. The word itself has not changed some(prenominal) going from hoary High German gahi to Anglo-Norman gai or gaye and Old French gai. Although the spelling is still similar, the definition has gone with a series of ameliorations and pejorations through history to make it what it is today.
The scratch line meaning of the word comes as early as 1325 when it is apply as a conventional epithet of praise for a woman (Entry 1a). Other meanings remain positive around this time such as Bright or lively-looking, esp. in illusion; brilliant, showy (Entry 2a). The way the term gay is used here is to describe either the looks of a person or of garb or color.



This was used this way at the earliest in 1375 but was mainly used during the 15th and 16th centuries. iodin of the more recent definitions of the word that is still well known today originates in 1400. This definition being light-hearted, carefree; manifesting, characterized by, or disposed to joy and mirth; exuberantly cheerful (Entry 3a). From this definition in 1400 the term generalizes to not only being able-bodied to describe a woman or appearance, but to be able to describe anyone.
In 1405 the word makes its first pejoration. An procedural being used to positively praise a woman, person, or garment comes up to mean lewd and lascivious (Entry 4a). such a drastic change in meaning whitethorn seem outrageous, but since this meaning only...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .