The word gay arrived in English during the 12th century from Old French gai, most likely deriving ultimately from a Germanic source. In English, the words primary meaning was joyful, carefree, bright and showy, and the word was very commonly used with this meaning in speech and literature.

What is a gay night?

A gay day or gay night is a scheduled time at an establishment dedicated to attracting and catering to the gay community.

Is Homophile a word?

The words homophile and homophilia are dated terms for homosexuality. The use of the word began to disappear with the emergence of the gay liberation movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, replaced by a new set of terminology such as gay, lesbian, and bisexual.

What is the meaning of friend of Dorothy?

In gay slang, a friend of Dorothy (FOD) is a gay man; and more broadly, any LGBTQ person. Stating that, or asking if, someone was a friend of Dorothy was a euphemism used for discussing sexual orientation without others knowing its meaning.