"Damn straight!"

[Scruffy Rumbler]

Someone posted this in another thread as an affirmation to a post. I was struck how this is the opposite side of the coin that is "That's so gay". Straight = positive and affirming. Gay = derisive and derogatory.

I did not post this in conjunction with that thread as it has nothing to do with the topic posted. Nor am I inferring the one that posted this is any way homophobic. I, as a 50 y.o. gay man am just noticing this phrase and its use. Neither phrase was ever one in my daily vocabulary.

Just an observation on being homo in a hetero world.

[Ptah]

1. The phrase "damn straight" is now used as a way to emphatically agree with a statement

Etymonline reports that straight to mean "true, direct, honest" is from 1520s

damn straight:

without doubt, certainly, for sure, usually used as a reply emphatically in the affirmative, in the manner of
"Yes, indeed" or "You got that right." The phrase is somewhat coarse due to its profanity, and would
not be employed in the most polite or formal contexts.

[Aristus]

2. That was me.

And I realized the import of the implied meaning as soon as I typed it. I think I added a remark to that effect.

But the overarching meaning of my reply was to show my support for, and solidarity with, the gay community.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

4. Hey Aristus!

Thanks for responding! Actually, the post I was referring to was by someone else!

I hope it came across in the OP that I was in no way calling out the person using this phrase! More stunned that at 50, I am just seeing this phrase in that context.

Peace,
Scruffy

[Aristus]

7. Oh, okay.

It's funny that you posted that just a day or so after I posted my reply. I thought it was me.

[MrScorpio]

3. Except that the word "straight" has other meanings other than as the opposite of gay.

And in the past, the word "gay" was once primarily used to describe happiness.

By the way, I prefer to use "Damn Skippy!" as an affirmation.

[Rhythm]

5. Hey, Scorp... i'm a "Damn Skippy"ite as well...

[Iggo]

8. I'm more of a Fuckin' A kind of guy.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

6. Damn Skippy!

Now that one I have used! lol

My use of the phrase, more specifically, the word straight, has been evolving over the years. For a couple of decades now, when giving directions when driving, I use the phrase "gaily forward" to mean continue going in the direction you are heading instead of "go straight".

I think it was in the mid eighties, I was a young gayling at the time and said, "go straight" to a gay friend driving the car. He responded with an emphatic, "NEVER! We shall proceed gaily forward" It has been gaily forward ever since!

Peace,
Scruffy



*edit typo