gay vs. pretty

[thedaffodils]

A Peacock taunted a Crane with the dullness of her plumage. "Look at my brilliant colours," said she, "and see how much finer they are than your poor feathers." "I am not denying," replied the Crane, "that yours are far gayer than mine; but when it comes to flying I can soar into the clouds, whereas you are confined to the earth like any dunghill cock."

Hello! What is the difference between gay and pretty? If I change gayer to prettier, will any subtle connotation be changed? Thanks!

[Rebel]

Gay does not mean necessarily pretty. It means the colours are brighter, merrier, more attractive to the eye.

[thedaffodils]

Gay does not mean necessarily pretty. It means the colours are brighter, merrier, more attractive to the eye.

Hello Rebel,

Thank you for your help. I got it.

[BobK]

When Daley Thompson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia won his second Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles, he put on a T-shirt bearing the message 'The greatest athlete in the world is gay'. This was a not-very-subtle reference to the sexual preferences of another great athlete at the time (whose name escapes me at the moment - a US sprinter and long-jumper); but Daley Thompson could hide behind the 'explanation' that he was referring to himself - that he was happy and cheerful. While he couldn't be called 'ugly' he certainly wasn't pretty: http://www.334notout.com/ashes/books/images/daley.jpg

b

[thedaffodils]

Hello BobK,

Thank you for the titbit.

[Ouisch]

In AmE, "gay" could be used to mean either "happy" or "brightly decorated" without eliciting an odd look or a chuckle. However, since about the 1970s, "gay" is usually used strictly to describe a homosexual person. In a comtemporary classroom, an old textbook that described someone wearing a shirt in "gay colors" would just inspire giggles among the students.

[thedaffodils]

In AmE, "gay" could be used to mean either "happy" or "brightly decorated" without eliciting an odd look or a chuckle. However, since about the 1970s, "gay" is usually used strictly to describe a homosexual person. In a comtemporary classroom, an old textbook that described someone wearing a shirt in "gay colors" would just inspire giggles among the students.

Hello Ouisch,

Thank you for your answer.