Re: Word used more than once

Carsten Becker wrote:

> From: "Michael Adams" <michael.adams1@...>
> Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 11:03 PM
>
>> Mistress
>> Gay
>> Affair
>
>
> All of these are used as euphemisms in the contexts you
> described, i.e. the original meaning of the words is widened
> to cover words or ideas that are offensive. E.g. in the case
> of "gay" and "queer" the original meanings, which were
> "happy" resp. "odd", have even vanished and both words mean
> "homosexual" now in their basic meaning (says my dictionary).
>
> Carsten

Your dictionary isn't quite right, at least when it comes to
rightpondian English.  Older people will use 'queer' and 'gay' for 'odd'
and 'happy, bright', younger people won't.

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