[PW] First appearance of 'gay'

[Douglas Anderson]

Negative evidence only, I'm afraid, but it may give you some leads to
follow:  In Marc Stein's "Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender History in America", v. 2, p. 132-138, there is an article
on "Language" that includes a discussion of the history of the word
"gay" in a homosexual context.  The article does not discuss the first
appearance in a mainstream dictionary, but it includes a bibliography;
some of the works referred there may be helpful.  If you don't have
access to this resource, let me know.

-- Doug Anderson


On 10/25/07, Carol Fuller <CFULLER at columbuslibrary.org> wrote:
> There was an interesting question that came through yesterday. The patron wanted to know when the term 'gay' in a homosexual context first appeared in a mainstream dictionary. We found it mentioned in OED and other sources as to when it was used in publications; but, we could not find a first sighting as a regular definition.
> Any ideas?


-- 
Douglas E. Anderson, Reference Coordinator
Ashtabula County District Library
335 W. 44th St.
Ashtabula, OH 44004 USA
440/997-9341
http://www.acdl.info/