To use the word “queer”?

[BowermansNose]

A few times recently I’ve found myself wanting to use the word “queer” to describe something odd or unusual (in the original sense of the word). I don’t know if I’m being influenced by some novels I’ve read of whatever. My parents also have an expression “up Queer Street”.

However, I’m obviously aware of the other meaning that relates to sexuality, and it has had pejorative connotations.

AIBU to use “queer” in the original sense?

Penelope I think you're misunderstanding what 'archaic' means. It can't be archaic or not archaic depending on place, its archaic due to its place in history, not geography. Even the OP agrees on that one.

There was a long thread on mumsnet a few months ago, or maybe last year, where an American poster (I think it was an American) said they were outraged and disgusted, and triggered by seeing British people say that they were smoking a fag.

The vast majority of posters said it was very obvious by context whether someone was using the word as a derogatory term or in a different context.

Reading this thread made me think about that because why is context OK for one word but another word is viewed to be offensive no matter what. Like the word which means 'stingy with money' but sounds similar to a racial slur, and some people argue that since it has absolutely no link linguistically to race it is fine to use, and others argue that it sounds phonetically similar therefore it is offensive no matter what.

Back in the 70's I was taken aside by a teacher to gently explain that it was probably better to find another word to use in a piece of writing I'd done. She did go on to explain why but it made little sense to me at that age ( I must have been early teens but we were all quite naive)
Anyway, the conversation stayed with me. I'd say that there are numerous words you could use instead.
Oh and a gay male friend often refers to himself as a queer
What I find unbelievable though is A few times recently I’ve found myself wanting to use the word “queer” Really OP??

PS, I think it's so weird on here how, for a site that famously uses the words cunt and fuck, so many of us are nervous about using completely normal words … "the word which means 'stingy with money' but sounds similar to a racial slur". Just say "niggardly"

But your argument that 'queer' isn't an archaic term is one I can't agree with, because it is. It's old. It just is

Most words in daily use are old. They just are.

Well crack on, OP. As long as your archaic terminology is in context. If you go around asking yourself what comestibles you want to take for your breaking of fast on this gay day, which garment you want to wear to the ball, and which other apparel to pair it with, and don't want to ever go to gaol, then I'd suppose you're just one of those wordsmiths who wishes they lived inside a 19th novel!

Archaic and out-moded then, phone. Of the time.

It’s all a bit Pub Landlord-y isn’t it? There are loads of synonyms for queer in it’s old meaning. Why not just use one of them?

On the "reclaimed word" thing: if I see "queer" being used in an allegedly LGBT+ context, I generally assume it means "straight middle-class person who wishes to be thought of as special but who doesn't actually contemplate a same-sex relationship".

It's a bit like a conference pear: it was ripe as a useful and non-slur word for about three minutes, between being a slur and being "reclaimed" by straight people and kinksters. Use it for yourself, if you want to, but please nobody here assume other gay people are Ok with it.

It’s all a bit Pub Landlord-y isn’t it?

I just don't see the parallel.

@Sagradafamiliar

I didn't say I know nothing about those words

I'm not qualified to give the origins of those particular words, having never had the need to look them up

Penelope I think you're misunderstanding what 'archaic' means. It can't be archaic or not archaic depending on place, its archaic due to its place in history, not geography. Even the OP agrees on that one.
Maybe then. I just thought archaic meant a word that’s fallen out of use. I’m not invested enough to google it. I’ll just take your word for it.

Passing that's right, passing.

Don't @ me please.

There are loads of synonyms for queer in it’s [sic] old meaning. Why not just use one of them?

Because it’s perfectly possible to use the word queer without giving offence.

I just did a search on my kindle of books that use the word queer in the sense I mean - they include (as I've already mentioned) Somerset Maugham's On Human Bondage (published in 1915), but also The Book Thief (2005) "their was a queer strand in her voice", and the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2008) "and through some queer sort of intuition".

Literary folk use it to lend an archaic tone to their writing, I suppose.

So books set in 1939 and 1946.

@hopelesssuitcase, yes I know people who do use gay in its original concept. Not sure why you are surprised. It's existed as a word for centuries. A couple of decades of alternate usage isn't going to change that.

The language police seem to be on call on this thread.

My previous post from yesterday was hidden and has only just become unhidden not sure why, neither is MNHQ but I'll repeat this bit.

The original meaning of 'queer' was pejorative. It dates from the sixteenth century and it meant something or someone that is abnormal, freakish or sick. It became somewhat more colloquial in certain geographical areas but broadly, that's why it was such an open goal for homophobic people to use; the meaning dovetails pretty neatly with what they're trying to say.

So books set in 1939 and 1946.

In the quotes, these aren't the words of the characters, and in one of the books, the characters would have been thinking in German. I haven't the resources to do a search for the word queer in recent books, but I'd imagine it's not as outdated as you suggest. Language changes, but I'm not talking about quoting from Beowulf here.

“It’s all a bit Pub Landlord-y isn’t it?

I just don't see the parallel.”

Sorry- I forgot not everyone enjoys the same comedians. A bit Farage-y then.

Sorry- I forgot not everyone enjoys the same comedians. A bit Farage-y then.

I get the reference, it's the parallel I don't see.

The fact the OP is so very desperate to make using a word she knows full well is hurtful and offensive her hill to die on is extremely worrying.

I'm not making this a hill to die on, I'm just engaged in a discussion because I've got some time on my hands, and I find it interesting. But that said, are there many people who would find the word hurtful, when used in the sense Im referring to? Are there people who would find it genuinely hurtful if I called my shopping bill queer? (I get the archaic point, but hurtful?)