Symptoms of gay brain include: an encyclopedic knowledge of Drag Race, the ability to quote your favorite pop diva on command, and salivating over the first average-looking man available.
But struggling to read may be the biggest symptom of all.
As gay people, we just have a different way of speaking, okurrr? And somebody on Gay Twitter™ came up with the perfect test case.
While strolling through a shopping mall in France (we like this already), one inquisitive queer posted an image of a store window with the following challenge:
It’s giving… we’ve been caught red-handed!
A straightforward reading of the slogan, “it’s giving season,” leads one to infer the holidays are upon us. After all, the holidays are all about giving, right?
But that slogan is also giving us something else.
It’s giving… lights! It’s giving… festive extravaganza! It’s giving… unwrapping presents under the Christmas tree!
It’s giving… season!
Do you notice the difference?
Please add me to the class action. Pls and Thx.
— Hey Mikey He Likes It (@MichaelHBower) November 9, 2023
Filing a claim immediately.
— Critical Race Bannon Theory (@KyleAMathews) November 9, 2023
Filing a claim immediately.
— Critical Race Bannon Theory (@KyleAMathews) November 9, 2023
I read it the gay way before even realizing there was another way 😭
— Sethicus (@_Sethicus_) November 9, 2023
It’s Giving YAS
— Nick 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️✊🏾 (@boyz_allowed) November 9, 2023
In gay lingo, the phrase “it’s giving” or “you’re giving” describes the vibe of a person or object. For people, the expression often preludes a description of someone’s appearance.
You’re giving… class. You’re giving… “mom who just picked up the kids.” You’re giving… Little Red Riding Hood.
And your outfit looks great, boots.
Queer slang has been around for centuries, dating back to the Victorian Era, when homosexuality was illegal (Speaker Mike Johnson’s dream). Since sodomy was outlawed, men would often refer to each other by code names.
The term “Miss Thing,” which refers to an over-the-top and conceited person (she’s giving… EXTRA!), may have originated from Victorian slang.
Perpetually battling persecution, LGBTQ+ folx are always evolving our terminology. During the Lavender Scare, gay men began using the “hanky system” to signify their sexual preferences when cruising.
Some of the words, such as “auntie” or “queen,” are still used today–though with slightly different meetings. Most of the most popular contemporary terms emanate from ballroom culture: “throwing shade,” “spilling tea,” “serving face.”
Thanks to Drag Race, these expressions are more mainstream than ever. “Throwing shade” and “spilling the tea” are ubiquitous terms in today’s queer lexicon.
It’s giving… oversaturation?
Impossible! Gays are always ahead of the culture, and that includes vocabulary. It’s giving season, after all.
And we’re giving… knowledge!
Or maybe we just need help. Either way, we have plenty to say...
Baron Wiseman
Hmm…maybe I’m not as gay as I thought I was.
FreddieW
All that matters is how you respond to male nudity. The rest is nonsense, and I didn’t follow it at all.
FreddieW
I suppose, too, that how you don’t respond to female nudity is important. I prefer that women be clothed, preferably like Krystal Carrington or Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter.
Louis
I too must not be gay.
The way the article means it was my third interpretation.
1: Gift giving season
2. Sexual giving (eg head) rather than receiving
3. The way the article means it
DarkZephyr
Geez, you guys. This was meant to be cute and light hearted. I’m surprised y’all didn’t punctuate your comments with “Bah! Humbug!”
greekboy
This is bullsh#t
DarkZephyr
Its tongue-in-cheek and you’re taking it way too seriously. Will you be OK?
JJinAus
Hmm, a stupid sign. I’m old. I hope I didn’t lose any days reading this dross.
RIGay
Not following any of this. Immature drivel.
Covid Hermit
99% of the “important” debates on Gay X (formerly Twitter) are immature drivel. That’s why I don’t use social media.
DarkZephyr
There’s nothing wrong with a little immature drivel. “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.”
still_onthemark
It’s giving headache.