queer

Everyday

1. (old-fashioned) Strange or odd: «a queer noise», «I feel queer» (unwell). tree →
2. (identity) Used by some people to describe themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or not fitting usual ideas of gender; this use is accepted by many today. tree →
3. (offensive) For a long time it was used as an insult against gay people, and it can still hurt when used to mock someone. tree →
4. (UK, informal, old) «Queer someone's pitch» means to spoil their plans. tree →

In the lessons

In old books like Alice in Wonderland and The Wind in the Willows, «queer» simply means strange: Alice meets «a queer-looking party», and the animals hear queer sounds in the Wild Wood. Readers today should understand this old meaning. In modern life, be careful: only use it about people in the way they choose, never as an insult.

Examples

• «What a queer thing!» said Alice. tree →
• They were a queer-looking party on the bank. tree →
• The Mole heard a queer whistling in the Wild Wood. tree →
• I feel a bit queer after that ride. tree →
• It was a queer, foggy day. tree →
• Some people describe themselves as queer, and we respect the words people choose for themselves. tree →
• Just before they reached the town, they saw a queer sight. tree →

Note

In old stories it means «strange»; in modern use it is about identity and can be hurtful if used as an insult. Old phrase: «queer as Dick's hatband» (very odd).