Dear Readers:
In a recent column about semantic change, Dr. Ink argued, in a brief aside, that “there is no longer a reason, except nostalgically, to use ‘gay’ as a synonym for ‘merry.'”
What was an uncontroversial statement for the Doc raised the ire of at least one reader. Here’s what he had to say:
“The idea that its usage in the sense of ‘merry’ is somehow outmoded in today’s politically-correct media is as absurd as maintaining that ‘Christian’ means only bible-thumping redneck followers of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson.
“Your suggestion … that ‘gay’ should not be used to describe happy, ebullient, cheerful, carefree attitudes is political correctness taken to a ludicrous extreme.
“Shame on you, dictionary-burner.”
Well, now, Dr. Ink, who is straight but not narrow, is a strong believer that writers should learn to tolerate even unreasonable criticism of their work as a way of growing in their craft. So the Doctor will try to heal himself.
First, he decided to consult the 1981 edition of the American Heritage Dictionary (AHD), which happens to be Doc’s favorite. That year, the AHD offers five definitions of the word ‘gay’:
- Showing or characterized by exuberance or mirthful excitement; merry; cheerful; jolly.
- Bright or lively, especially in color.
- Full of or given to social or other pleasures.
- Dissolute; licentious.
- Homosexual.
According to this list, homosexual was the least common definition for the word “gay.” Back in those days, the homophobes might be able to make it through “Deck the Halls” without smirking.
Now let’s see what happens two decades later in the 4th edition of the same dictionary (published in 2000). All the definitions remain, but with a new order of meaning. What comes first? You guessed it:
1. “Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex.”
The word now even earns one of AHD’s famous Usage Notes: “The word gay is now standard in its use to refer to homosexuals, in large part because it is the term that most gay people prefer in referring to themselves. Gay is distinguished from homosexual primarily by the emphasis it places on the cultural and social aspects of homosexuality as opposed to sexual practice.”
Rather than being a “dictionary-burner,” then, Dr. Ink shows, once again, that he is a man both of, and ahead of, his lexical times.
Dr. Ink is interested in clarity of message, not a tedious adherence to grammatical courtesy or narrow political ideology.
He offers this test to his correspondent: Please, go ahead and use the word “gay” in its traditional sense. Try it out in a straight biker bar. Declare aloud how everyone looks like they are having a gay time. Compliment the bikers on their gay outfits. Tell them how much fun you’re having in a gay bar.
If any trouble ensues, just climb up on the bar and dance to “Tequila” wearing Pee Wee Herman’s big white shoes.
[ Can you think of any other words that have changed their meaning within your lifetime? ]
