Gay is an adjective meaning "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy"; however, in modern usage, gay usually refers to homosexual men or women. Gay sometimes also refers to the culture of homosexual men and women (as in "gay history"), to things perceived by others to be typical of gay people (as in "gay music"), or to same-sex relationships more generally (as in "gay marriage"). Note that while gay applies to men and women, the term lesbian is gender-specific: it is used exclusively to describe homosexual women. There is no corresponding word for gay men.

Etymology

History
A cartoon from Punch magazine from 1857 illustrating the use of "gay" as a euphemism for being a prostitute. One woman says to the other (who looks glum), "how long have you been gay?" The poster on the wall is for La Traviata, an opera about a courtesan.
A cartoon from Punch magazine from 1857 illustrating the use of "gay" as a euphemism for being a prostitute. One woman says to the other (who looks glum), "how long have you been gay?" The poster on the wall is for La Traviata, an opera about a courtesan.

The primary meaning of the word gay has changed dramatically during the 20th century—though the change evolved from earlier usages. It derives via the Old French gai, probably from a Germanic source.

So-called musical performer, proof that one can sell millions of CDs with no talent whatsoever.

Perpetrator with then-boyfriend Kevin Federline of a reality TV series (Britney and Kevin: Chaotic) that showed just how awful reality TV can be.

Someone who has accomplished a very difficult feat -- making Madonna's career look classy by comparison.

Presently, a demonstration of what happens as Andy Warhol’s fifteen minutes runs out.

A future case study of the rise and fall of a tween idol.

A Poster Girl (through her divorce from K-Fed) for having a good attorney, and getting a good pre-nup.

Present and future fodder for the National Enquirer, tabloid television, tmz.com, etc.

One of many plagues unleashed on the world by the 1990s edition of The Mickey Mouse Club.

Born Paul Bruce Dickinson on August 7, 1958 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England. He is a British singer, airline pilot, fencer and songwriter, best-known as the lead singer in the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden. According to All Music Guide, Dickinson "was the most acclaimed and instantly recognizable vocalist to emerge from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement of the early-'80s.

Before Iron Maiden, he was the singer in a similar band called Samson from 1979 until he joined Iron Maiden two years later. In Samson and previous bands, he went by the name of "Bruce Bruce". He made his recording debut with Iron Maiden on their Number of the Beast album in 1982. During previous years, he was in Styx (1976) (not to be confused with the American band of the same name), then went on to sing for Speed (1977 - 1978). When Speed split up, he joined Shots until the summer of 1979.

Dickinson quit Iron Maiden in 1993 in order to pursue his solo career and was replaced by Blaze Bayley, who had previously been the lead singer of punk-metal band Wolfsbane. Dickinson's solo work ranges from the Alternative Rock sound of 1996's Skunkworks, to the all out Metal style of Accident of Birth. To many, Dickinson was releasing an artistic energy he felt was suppressed by Iron Maiden's strict progressive metal format, which he claimed could not accommodate emotional reflection as evidenced in the lyrics of "Tears of the Dragon." After releasing two traditional metal albums with fo...

What makes rumors and taboos ever so more present in daily life.

better than god and jesus put together

"Bridge and tunnel" was originally a derogatory slang directed against people living in the outer-boroughs of NYC, who by definition must either use a bridge or a tunnel in order to travel into Manhattan. The original slang had connotations of class distinction,with the implication that bridge and tunnelers were less affluent than those living in the city and were therefore of a lower class. Because of the recent hipster revolution and the ongoing "hipsterization" of popular culture, over the years the term has drifted away from being a distinction based on affluence and location of residence, to a distinction based on cultural awareness, values, and attitude. In terms of the modern usage of the term, one can now reside in Manhattan and still be considered "bridge and tunnel". And in fact even people living in other cities such as San Francisco are using "bridge and tunnel" to describe people of specific demographics and cultural attitude in their respective locales.
So what has bridge and tunnel evolved to mean? Bridge and tunnel is currently a derogatory slang directed at people who are culturally ignorant and hold very mainstream ethnocentric ideals of beauty and rules of attraction, who embrace decidedly passe suburban cultural values and "reality TV" ideals. For example...one would be considered "bridge and tunnel" if your musical awareness only includes whatever is played on Top 40 radio, your ideal female sex symbol would be someone like Paris Hilton, you go to tan...

Emma's quick-reference guide to journalism ethics.
When your working on deadline and need refresher, no Dan Rather's here....

1. See the story, hear the story, report the story...Emma's quick-reference guide to journalism ethics.
When your working on deadline and need refresher, no Dan Rather's here....

1. See the story, hear the story, report the story...accuratly.
2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T...find out what it means to me...you, interview subjects, co-workers, random MOS, ranting man that calls the newsroom everyday.
3. I am Miss/Mr Independent! (No, not the Kelly Clarkson song) Don't take bribes, don't date sources, avoid conflicts of interest, be fair and professional.
4. Be accountable! Double check facts, don't get defensive when someone else fact checks, show good taste, and disclose any unavoidable conflicts upfront.
2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T...find out what it means to me...you, interview subjects, co-workers, random MOS, ranting man that calls the newsroom everyday.
3. I am Miss/Mr Independent! (No, not the Kelly Clarkson song) Don't take bribes, don't date sources, avoid conflicts of interest, be fair and professional.
4. Be accountable! Double check facts, don't get defensive when someone else fact checks, show good taste, and disclose any unavoidable conflicts upfront.