Is it rude to use the word "queer" now?

Question

I've been chastised for using the term "queer" a few times because some people seem to find it offensive. But it isn't as though i use it in a malicious way. I might say something like "Jeeze that's really queer." or "Wow, that guy is majorly queer."
If you look up the term queer it could mean: odd; strange; suspicious; eccentric; etc.
Just as saying "I feel gay today." Doesn't mean "I feel homosexual today (though it can)." It would mean, "I feel good today."
But the word gay is far too changed to say otherwise.
Does this mean the word queer has also become something i can no longer use out of what most people now consider to be it's "normal" context?

Any ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

I dont see anything wrong with it.

But I only say it when im with friends, I dont say it to random people, cuz they might find it offensive.

Answer 2

Not for me. I use it quite normally if I want to say something is "unusual", "odd", "strange", etc. I think some people find it amusing (but no more than amusing, certainly not offensive) when I use it in this way, because of its other meaning of "homosexual".

By the way, I also use "queer" to mean "male homosexual". I've never seen the need to switch to "gay" for this meaning.

Answer 3

Meanings of words change - it's a fact. Queer used to mean "odd" although it still has that connotation. As a derogatory word for gays, it sort of rose and fell - queer as an insult has a slightly retro feel to it.

Not to mention the lgbt community has expanded its acronym to be lgbtqa... (lesbian gay bisexual transgender questioning ally...) Queer has also been "reclaimed" by the lgbt community as an umbrella term for these different words, as in: "queer literaure."

It really depends on the context. If someone gives you a hard time about it, that's their problem. Regardless of your opinion about gays, everyone needs to relax about it in our super politically correct society.

Answer 4

nowadays, when you say someone is queer, they take that offensively. So yes it is rude.



But some people might not find it rude b/c they take the literal definition of it. Like what you said.



SO it really depends on the person you're saying queer to.

Answer 5

Who cares, someone will get offended by something you say at least once a week no matter how much you try not to offend anyone. Just say what you feel within reason, i mean don't go up to people and curse them out. I think thats the best way to live, think of all the times you've been offended, its just part of life, people have to learn to deal with it and keep on Truckin!

Answer 6

seeing as the word literally means wierd, different, or odd i say use it as you see fit and that its only rude if you use it for the slang/ possibly insulting meaning of homosexual

Answer 7

yea its a little rude i guess

help with mine https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20100228105132AApaEm2