Malachy McCourt, actor, writer and brother of writer Frank, had a radio show on WMCA in New York City in the 1970's. At that time the word "gay" was just beginning to be known to the general public as "homosexual" - and Malachy didn't think that it was appropriate. He said something like, "I'm gay - but I do not have, or want to have, sex with other men!".

Now it's gotten stuck with other meanings such as "stupid".

Original definitions:

1. [a] bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer; "a cheery hello"; "a gay sunny room"; "a sunny smile".

Websterâ??s Dictionary, 1913:

Gay
<XPAGE=616 Gay (?), a. [Compar. Gayer (?); superl. Gayest.] [F. gai, perhaps fr. OHG. ghi swift, rapid, G. gäh, jäh, steep, hasty; or cf. OHG. whi beatiful, good. Cf. Jay.]

1. Excited with merriment; manifesting sportiveness or delight; inspiring delight; livery; merry.
Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay. Pope.
Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed. Gray.
2. Brilliant in colors; splendid; fine; richly dressed.
Why is my neighbor's wife so gay? Chaucer.
A bevy of fair women, richly gay In gems and wanton dress. Milton
3. Loose; dissipated; lewd. [Colloq.] Syn. -- Merry; gleeful; blithe; airy; lively; sprightly, sportive; light-hearted; frolicsome; jolly; jovial; joyous; joyful; glad; showy; splendid; vivacious.
Breukelen advocaat Reviewed by Breukelen advocaat on . that is so gay! i still dont get why people like to describe things with the word gay. for example. if they think something is stupid. omg that is so gay! im not sure what all of you think gay means but let us define it for you: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gay just a major pet peeve of mine.0 so its gay.. as opposed to straight? Rating: 5