Gay vs. Breeding: What’s the Difference?
Gay
Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term was originally used to mean “carefree”, “cheerful”, or “bright and showy”.The term’s use as a reference to homosexuality may date as early as the late 19th century, but its use gradually increased in the 20th century. In modern English, gay has come to be used as an adjective, and as a noun, referring to the people and the practices and cultures associated with homosexuality. In the 1960s, gay became the word favored by homosexual men to describe their sexual orientation. By the end of the 20th century, the word gay was recommended by major LGBT groups and style guides to describe people attracted to members of the same sex.At about the same time, a new, pejorative use became prevalent in some parts of the world. Among younger speakers, the word has a meaning ranging from derision (e.g., equivalent to rubbish or stupid) to a light-hearted mockery or ridicule (e.g., equivalent to weak, unmanly, or lame). In this use, the word rarely means “homosexual”, as it is often used, for example, to refer to an inanimate object or abstract concept of which one disapproves. The extent to which these usages still retain connotations of homosexuality has been debated and harshly criticized.
Gay (adjective)
Happy, joyful, and lively.
“The Gay Science”
Gay (adjective)
Festive, bright, or colourful.
“Pennsylvania Dutch include the plain folk and the gay folk.”
Gay (adjective)
Sexually promiscuous (of either gender).
Gay (adjective)
Homosexual:
Gay (adjective)
Possessing sexual and emotional attraction towards members of the same gender or sex.
“Gay marriage, though legal here, is still very controversial.”
“gay sex”
“gay acts”
Gay (adjective)
Being between two or more people of the same gender or the same sex, especially between two men.
“Although the number of gay weddings has increased significantly, many gay and lesbian couples — like many straight couples — are not interested in getting married.”
Gay (adjective)
Intended for gay people, especially gay men.
“She professes an undying love for gay bars and gay movies, and even admits to having watched gay porn.”
Gay (adjective)
In accordance with stereotypes of homosexual people:
Gay (adjective)
Being in accordance with stereotypes of gay people, especially gay men.
Gay (adjective)
A pejorative:
Gay (adjective)
Exhibiting appearance or behavior that accords with stereotypes of gay people, especially gay men.
Gay (adjective)
Effeminate or flamboyant in behavior.
Gay (adjective)
Upright or curved over the back.
Gay (noun)
A homosexual, especially a male homosexual; see also lesbian.
Gay (noun)
An ornament.
Gay (noun)
The letter —, which stands for the sound lang=en, in Pitman shorthand.
Gay (verb)
To make happy or cheerful. since at least the 1920s
Gay (verb)
To cause (something, e.g. AIDS) to be associated with homosexual people. popularized in the 1990s
Breeding (noun)
Propagation of offspring through sexual reproduction.
Breeding (noun)
The act of insemination by natural or artificial means.
Breeding (noun)
The act of copulation in animals.
Breeding (noun)
The good manners regarded as characteristic of the aristocracy and conferred by heredity.
Breeding (noun)
Nurture; education; formation of manners.
Breeding (noun)
Descent; pedigree; extraction.
“Your dog has good breeding.”
Breeding (noun)
Ejaculation inside the rectum during bareback anal sex, usually applied to gay pornography.
Breeding (adjective)
Of, relating to or used for breeding.
“Your toothbrush is a breeding ground for bacteria.”
Breeding (verb)
present participle of breed
“Through genetic manipulation and harsh training, I am breeding a species of super-dogs to take over the world.”
Gay (adjective)
(of a person) homosexual (used especially of a man)
“the city’s gay and lesbian people”
“a gay couple”
“my friend is gay”
Gay (adjective)
relating to or used by homosexuals
“a gay bar”
“the gay vote can decide an election”
Gay (adjective)
light-hearted and carefree
“Nan had a gay disposition and a very pretty face”
Gay (adjective)
brightly coloured; showy
“a gay profusion of purple and pink sweet peas”
Gay (adjective)
foolish, stupid, or unimpressive
“he thinks the obsession with celebrity is totally gay”
Gay (noun)
a homosexual, especially a man.
Breeding (noun)
the mating and production of offspring by animals
“the flooding of the rivers is a trigger for breeding to start”
Breeding (noun)
the good manners regarded as characteristic of the aristocracy and conferred by heredity
“that’s the kind of modesty you get from good breeding”
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