Words that have lost their meaning

Gay.

I was considered such as a kid, but alas into adulthood the word was high-jacked.

My niece is gay and we had a good old laugh about this when she finally 'came out' and I told her I was, but then I wasn't. She thought it was hilarious.

Not used so much nowadays, so they've not lost their meaning, but I think my brother's girlfriend is a duplicitous, loquacious termagant.
 
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cool.
 
Gay.

It used to mean "very happy and joyful."

I remember that time when, during an interview with the British athlete Daley Thompson, the press asked if he was happy with his results.

"Yes, I'm gay." He meant he is so happy and full of joy that he had won a race or one of the other events he takes part in.

The press misunderstood and thought he came out and open up that he is gay. So gay have now lost its meaning.


Dumb.

It used to mean "unable to speak"

It was often used by hearing people (specially the media) when referring to a deaf person who can't speak, like saying That person is deaf and dumb.

But a lot of deaf people could speak, even if they mispronounce what they say, they are still speaking anyway. Could you claim a deaf person who mispronounce is unable to speak when you consider that if you meet (say as example) a Native American who spoke Navajo language? How are you going to be sure that this Native American is speaking Navajo clearly or is mispronouncing Navajo?

As a result, deaf and dumb no longer mean deaf and unable to speak because it becomes deaf and stupid. A lot of deaf people had fought hard to get everyone to drop the word "dumb" and use "speech impaired" instead.



Its / It's, and Your / You're.

Oh, don't get me started on all that.


You would think that reporters and journalist who have passed their A-Levels in English language, would have know the difference, but even the journalist get it wrong, and the meaning is lost. Then there's the lazy texting, and over-helpful Autocorrect making things worst.
 
Load of Codswallop .. try explaining that to the yanks ,I did once and gave up
 
Howling.
I'm hearing [younger] people say it to imply that they are laughing hard, although they aren't actually laughing when they say it. Howling is for wolves, Beagles and if you are good enough your partner in bed.

Hero
It seems like you can be a hero for doing an extra big jobby these days. A slap in the face for real heroes who selflessly risk their lives to help others.

Racist / Nazi
Unfortunately these days it would seem you are a racist Nazi simply for disagreeing with certain groups despite not actually being racist, nor a Nazi. It belittles both words.

Empowered
Typically overused and misused by female celebrities who confuse 'inspire' with 'empower'. Getting to vote, equal pay, equal representation, getting to run the country etc is what I would consider empowered. Posing naked to empower women isn't.

Many words have lost their meaning at home from 'The Wife'
Yes = No
Maybe = No
No = No
Later = Now
Soon = Now
Today = Now
Tomorrow = Now
[silence] = Please
[silence] = Thanks
 
Fancy, as in fancy someone.
It used to mean - find attractive, someone you'd like to take on a date and get to know better
Now - apparently, shag the living daylights out of.

Such a shame.
 
Major Eazy said:
Gay.

It used to mean "very happy and joyful."
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It did, and it continued to be used in this context until quite recently, but 'gay' has had various other meanings too. The word was already acquiring a sexual connotation by the C17th and a 'gay woman' usually meant a female prostitute, and a 'gay house' was a brothel. That lasted until the end of the C19th anyway, and it appears in Sinister Street which was published around 1914. There have been a few other overlapping usages too, implying homosexuality or promiscuous heterosexuality, so the word is quite well travelled!
 
MartynK said:
It did, and it continued to be used in this context until quite recently, but 'gay' has had various other meanings too. The word was already acquiring a sexual connotation by the C17th and a 'gay woman' usually meant a female prostitute, and a 'gay house' was a brothel. That lasted until the end of the C19th anyway, and it appears in Sinister Street which was published around 1914. There have been a few other overlapping usages too, implying homosexuality or promiscuous heterosexuality, so the word is quite well travelled!
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Gay has also meant rubbish or crap.
 
Nice.
 
Brilliant.
Now used extensively by any salesperson in conversation with a client.

Stunning.
Used universally by estate by estate agents for 95% of the properties on their books.
 
Absolutely, now appears to mean, "Yes"

Dave
 
Mint

As in just minted, brand new, unused in any way, shape or form. Did NOT mean used, well looked after, etc.
 
nilagin said:
Gay has also meant rubbish or crap.
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Which is how I’ve used it since I was a teenager. Interestingly we would use “queer” to mean strange or odd as teenagers. Never used it to denote sexual orientation.
 
Major Eazy said:
Its / It's, and Your / You're.

Oh, don't get me started on all that.


You would think that reporters and journalist who have passed their A-Levels in English language, would have know the difference, but even the journalist get it wrong, and the meaning is lost. Then there's the lazy texting, and over-helpful Autocorrect making things worst.
Click to expand...

My grandson “made” me a mug recently. He’s only 16 months old so it’s obviously been done by his mum and dad. It says “Hand’s off Grandads tea” on it and although it’s a lovely thought it winds me up every time I use it. The worst thing? Both of his parents have got degrees! :oops: :$:oops: :$ I’ve no idea what they teach in schools and university these days but it’s obviously not the correct use of grammar.
 
boogie man said:
My grandson “made” me a mug recently. He’s only 16 months old so it’s obviously been done by his mum and dad. It says “Hand’s off Grandads tea” on it and although it’s a lovely thought it winds me up every time I use it. The worst thing? Both of his parents have got degrees! :oops: :$:oops: :$ I’ve no idea what they teach in schools and university these days but it’s obviously not the correct use of grammar.
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Could it be argued that the word 'degree' has lost its meaning? After all, so many people seem to have them these days. I struggle to understand this when good grammar seems to be going to hell in a handcart. The number of times we hear examples of this on the TV and radio news, such as "The man was sat in his car when the incident occurred.". When I went to school I doubt that anyone would have passed their O Level English exam if they'd repeatedly written sat instead of sitting. I sometimes wonder if a degree has become more akin to a certificate of attendance rather than a standard of educational merit?
 
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Mr Badger said:
Could it be argued that the word 'degree' has lost its meaning? After all, so many people seem to have them these days. I struggle to understand this when good grammar seems to be going to hell in a handcart. The number of times we hear examples of this on the TV and radio news, such as "The man was sat in his car when the incident occurred.". When I went to school I doubt that anyone would have passed their O Level English exam if they'd repeatedly written sat instead of sitting. I sometimes wonder if a degree has become more akin to a certificate of attendance rather than a standard of educational merit?
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You could well be right. Most of the people I know with degrees don’t actually use their qualifications in their career choices (my stepson and his wife are actually the exceptions). I think nowadays it’s more that a degree is proof to an employer that you’re educated to a reasonable level and capable of serious study and application, more than anything else.
 
boogie man said:
You could well be right. Most of the people I know with degrees don’t actually use their qualifications in their career choices (my stepson and his wife are actually the exceptions). I think nowadays it’s more that a degree is proof to an employer that you’re educated to a reasonable level and capable of serious study and application, more than anything else.
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Wasn't that originally what O Levels and A Levels were for, and obtaining those didn't usually burden people with tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt before they'd started work? What a complicated web of life people weave these days!
 
Mr Badger said:
Wasn't that originally what O Levels and A Levels were for, and obtaining those didn't usually burden people with tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt before they'd started work? What a complicated web of life people weave these days!
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How true, I've been saying this for quite some time. The University system is just another business nowadays; I have recently spent a couple of years studying at one and I am now 54 so it wasn't for the party scene, the standard of tuition was abysmal.
 
Mr Badger said:
Could it be argued that the word 'degree' has lost its meaning? After all, so many people seem to have them these days. I struggle to understand this when good grammar seems to be going to hell in a handcart. The number of times we hear examples of this on the TV and radio news, such as "The man was sat in his car when the incident occurred.". When I went to school I doubt that anyone would have passed their O Level English exam if they'd repeatedly written sat instead of sitting. I sometimes wonder if a degree has become more akin to a certificate of attendance rather than a standard of educational merit?
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I could be wrong but I think it was Tony Blair's idea/target that 50% of young people should go to university. A university was a place for the brightest to study so the only way to get even close to 50% into universities is to devalue the study. Unfortunately academic qualifications have, and I think to an extent perhaps still are, seen as being some how better than vocational qualifications.

Dave
 
Tringa said:
I could be wrong but I think it was Tony Blair's idea/target that 50% of young people should go to university. A university was a place for the brightest to study so the only way to get even close to 50% into universities is to devalue the study.

Dave
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Usually with pointless courses in subjects that really don't warrant a degree.
 
Tringa said:
I could be wrong but I think it was Tony Blair's idea/target that 50% of young people should go to university. A university was a place for the brightest to study so the only way to get even close to 50% into universities is to devalue the study. Unfortunately academic qualifications have, and I think to an extent perhaps still are, seen as being some how better than vocational qualifications.
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This has annoyed me immensely. I've known people who want to go to university to live the "student life" ie act like a child for a few more years.
 
Perfect

Now used by every salesman as confirmation they heard your response to a question.

Buxom

Now generally meaning a well upholstered woman.
 
Has done since the 16th century. Originally meant compliant but has evolved.
 
Perfect.

It seems to have become applicable to anything unlikely to cause the end of the world.
 
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