Mums and Dads of Teenagers, another question for research!!!

[abroad]

Some of you responded to a recent thread I started on the word 'boffin' (am doing a degree in the English Language).

I've got another one for you, especially directed to mothers and fathers of teenagers. I'm now looking at the word 'gay' - and in particular its new mutation into an adjective used mainly by young people to describe anything dull/boring. For example 'I really don't like that t-shirt, its so gay' etc.

So, do your teenagers use this word in this context? If so could you please ask them what the meaning behind it is for them. In other words are they being homophobic or are they really using the word within the context of it having a whole new meaning? i.e. dull/crap

Again any response will really help me no end (my own children are only 6 and 4!) Thanks.

Just asked 14 yo. He says its for when something is silly/crap and has no homophobic connotations.
Its using 'retard' that really bugs me.

my ds uses it too for clothes etc that aren't cool

According to one 14yo and two 12 yos, it is often used to describe something naff and has no homosexual overtones in that context.

My 13yo son and friend use it to describe something thats naff or rubbish, nothing homosexual about it as far as he's concerned.

Although I should add that the two 12yos were busy telling my 9 yo that gay can no longer mean happy because it only means homosexual - until I asked them about the naff meaning.