Before examining the word queer and the various colloquial terms that are attached thereto, it is helpful

to first explore the transformation that the word itself underwent before coming to the modern (or, perhaps, post-modern) meaning, and, interestingly, connotations that most would argue to be true. This paper will, therefore, be a short introduction to the word itself, the etymology thereof and its contemporary uses. Queer finds its emergence within the English language in the 16th century (Information Delight), and the Online Etymology Dictionary confirms, more specifically, that its first usage was recorded circa 1500. At this time, however, the word meant strange, peculiar or eccentric (Online Etymology Dictionary). This meaning was derived from its Scottish origin. However, both sources agree that Scottish was not its only source and that it might also be derived from the Low German word, quer, (Brunswick dialect) which, according to Information Delight meant, at this point, across, at right angle, diagonally or transverse and, later in Old High German meant oblique, perverse, odd (Online Etymology Dictionary). The latter source continues to state that the word, in 1812, transformed again into a verb meaning to spoil, ruin (Online Etymology Dictionary). The source goes on to say that Queer meaning Homosexual was first recorded 1922 as a noun and the adjective appeared in 1935. Ron Callari, quoting from the press release of the social networking website, Queerbook, suggests that during the early 20th Century, its usage was considered controversial as "queer" was frequently used as a derogatory term for effeminate gay males. Towards the latter half of the century, while the term was still considered by some to be offensive and derisive, others re-appropriated it as a badge of honor to describe one's sexual orientation, gender identity and as an opportunity to underscore one's selfempowerment. (Callari) The question, therefore, that now remains is how queer can be defined in our contemporary world with sexual identities almost as varied as the number of people present in society. It is arguable that queer, although claimed by the homosexual social group, can no longer be confined to simply mean gay. The connotation, in fact, seems to be limited to gay men, in particular, if analysis of the sources are any indication. Martha Marinara, speaking of the social grouping (perhaps segregation) suggested by the word, believes that [i]dentifying with a particular group can give one a place to stand, a political and social voice along with all the other members of that group, a sometimes powerful, monolithic identity. At the same time, these identities tend to obscure the multiple identities of individuals, individual voices, individual truths, and individual politics. It is, perhaps, for this reason that queer cannot be

limited to mean what contemporary society has deigned it to mean. The word must be one not of exclusivity but, in fact, of inclusivity so that the group that its meaning identifies can be one of inclusive otherness. In conclusion, therefore, one can opine that queer must include the entire heterogeneous populace that does not subscribe to heterosexual or, heteronormative sexual identities.

Callari, Ron. Queerbook, Whats in a name? August 10, 2010. Inventor Spot. 12 January 2011. [http://inventorspot.com/articles/queerbook_whats_name_31251]. Information Delight. Information about Queer. 18 April 2006. 12 January 2011. [http://www.informationdelight.info/encyclopedia/entry/queer]. Marinara, Martha. Alphabet Soup: Labels of Empowerment. 1 February 2010. Thinking About Now. 12 January 2011. [http://thinkingaboutnow.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/alphabetsoup-labels-and-empowerment/]. Online Etymology Dictionary. Queer. 2001. 12 January 2011. [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=queer].