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BS: Queer as Folk - explain

24 Jan 06 - 09:28 AM (#1654762)
Subject: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Wilfried Schaum

Yesterday I saw a synchronized version of an episode of Queer as Folk. I spied a lot of queers, but didn't hear any folk.
Well, for a nonnnative speaker: Is there a hidden meaning in folk an ageing godfearing Mudcatter's philosophy never has dreamt of?
Explain, please.


24 Jan 06 - 09:33 AM (#1654766)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: GUEST,catsphiddle@work

Folk = people


24 Jan 06 - 09:34 AM (#1654768)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Peace

There's nowt so queer as folk = There's nothing so strange as people.


24 Jan 06 - 09:34 AM (#1654769)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: GUEST

From the expression Oop North in England, "there's nowt so queer as folk."


24 Jan 06 - 09:37 AM (#1654772)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: John MacKenzie

Der ist nein so queer as Volkswagen.

Giok

Sensa schiuma


24 Jan 06 - 09:50 AM (#1654783)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: katlaughing

In this instance, just the expression, I don't think it means "queer" as in homosexual/gay so much as "odd."


24 Jan 06 - 10:04 AM (#1654793)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Jeri

The Showtime network TV show Queer as Folk IS about gays/lesbians. I've seen advertisments, but pay enough for cable without the premium channels.


24 Jan 06 - 10:11 AM (#1654801)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: John MacKenzie

To break the habit of a lifetime I will be serious for a moment.
When I was a child and knew no better homosexuals were called 'Queers', this has since become non PC and we are encouraged to be complicit in another bastardisation of the English language by calling homosexuals 'Gays' Ironocally homosexuals themselves have reintroduced the habit of calling themselves 'Queers', I wonder just how confused this makes the fanatics of the PC industry feel?
Giok


24 Jan 06 - 10:28 AM (#1654816)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: GUEST

'folk' - from 'fellow', like 'yolk' from 'yellow'?
maybe 'mellowness' should be 'molk'?


24 Jan 06 - 10:31 AM (#1654822)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Paul Burke

holk?


24 Jan 06 - 01:10 PM (#1654928)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: GUEST,Barrie Roberts

Up to about the Great War 'gay' was applied as an adjective to female prostitutes --- 'gay women'. The standard prostitute's invitation was 'Are you gay?', meaning 'Are you randy?' The question survived among homosexuals with an altered meaning --- 'Are you one of us?'.


24 Jan 06 - 01:58 PM (#1654955)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Mr Red

Gay has had straight randy meanings off and on for 300 years, and as fashions for the word moved, it devolved to a fairly harmless meaning. After which, factions could purloin it as code.

Plus ca change.


24 Jan 06 - 06:38 PM (#1655030)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Micca

If you are PC stop reading Now




The gay and lesbian society at a British University stuck a poster advertising a gay and Lesbian Ceilidh with a good band and calller, I was shown a poster that had neatly graffitoed across the bottom,
" theres Nowt so Folk as Queers" I was slightly amused at the skilful use of language,


24 Jan 06 - 10:23 PM (#1655167)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: GUEST

They don't know if they be men or womenz so they call themselves Folk.

Queer Folk


25 Jan 06 - 05:44 AM (#1655309)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Geoff the Duck

Wilfred - the expression "Theer's nowt so queer as folk" is an old one used in Yorkshire (I don't know if anyone else in Northern England will also try to claim it). The phrase translates literally as - there is nothing as strange as the way people behave. It is one which has been used by well known public figures, and so has become known to the rest of the country.

The TV series using part of the saying was, quite frankly total crap and simply an excuse for gratuitous scenes. The story seemed to be only about homosexual blokes having casual sex at night clubs. Not a good image of the "gay" community to broadcast - no long term partners or stable relationships, just a set of totally iresponsible unpleasant people.

You will find nothing about folk music in it. It certainly is not about the old saying which has nothing to do with any form of sexuality.

Quack!
Geof the Duck.


25 Jan 06 - 09:54 AM (#1655424)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Mo the caller

"gratuitous scenes"
Wow. We can't have that.


25 Jan 06 - 11:07 AM (#1655486)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Moses

I remember the full saying as:- "There's nowt as queer as folk, except for thee and me, and even thou art a little touched"

I'd always assumed this to mean that 'people all have their odd peculiarities except for us two, although you are a wee bit strange'.

The above posts have added a new and interesting slant on the quotation!!


25 Jan 06 - 06:39 PM (#1655675)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Bill Hahn//\\

Funny this topic came up since last evening was the first time I ever viewed a show Queer Eye For The Straight Guy(Kevin Bacon's brother--Michael (straight) was given a domicile make-over). I was asked to watch by someone I know---who is gay. This person only said to watch because said person knew some people in it--the Bacons---and had never seen the show either

I could stomach no more than 15 minutes of this ridiculous program--besides being (to me) an utter bore it just reinforces terrible stereotypes and those participating are just denigrating themselves some more---but for big bucks, I assume. A distasteful bunch they are.

Frankly, the reality shows are just way over the top---happily one network cancelled the latest fiasco prior to the first airing. A show where neighbors vote on who will get the house the network purchased in their neighborhood---they used a gay couple, a hispanic couple, and and asian coup and--perhaps other ethnicities. The gay couple were voted in---and, happily the network cancelled the whole show. Frankly, I think they were opening themselves up for a bias law suit in my opinion---would that there was a law against insensitivity and bad taste.

I realize I am talking about a different program, but good drama can be address many issues---then there are the programs mentioned that just reinforce stereotypes.

Bill Hahn


25 Jan 06 - 06:49 PM (#1655684)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: LilyFestre

Giok,

   I think that's a community kind of thing....homosexuals...more the men I think...referring to themselves and one another as "Queers," kind of like African Americans who refer to one another as the "N" word (Sorry but I really dislike that word). I think that if you are a homosexual man, it would be fine to use that term but not otherwise. Same with the other term...it's for those that fit within the given community.

Michelle


25 Jan 06 - 07:23 PM (#1655713)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: bobad

More walls to separate people IMO.


26 Jan 06 - 08:57 AM (#1655881)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: mooman

I have heard some folk (as in music) that is a bit queer (as in odd). You are not alone my friend Wilfried!

Moses explanation ties in very close with the use and meaning of the expression by my dear South Yorkshire wife.

Richard


26 Jan 06 - 10:16 AM (#1655950)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: robinia

The way I heard the saying (in reference, I think, to my VERY censorious granny) was "all the world is queer except for me and thee, dear, and even thee's a little queer, dear."


26 Jan 06 - 11:39 PM (#1656301)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Once Famous

The show is complete crap. You have to be out of your mind to watch these flaming morons.


27 Jan 06 - 10:06 AM (#1656451)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: GUEST,Dave

Oh dear, some of you people should get out more ... incidentally, see how language continually gets away from the meanings we place on it -I intended no pun on 'out' (as in 'out of the closet'), but it just happens along the way in human intercourse (there I go again). Appropriation of 'gay' or 'queer' shows that words are always changing in a living language, maybe some would prefer they were set in stone to be read about in nice old non-threatening songs, for instance.
Too many label as 'PC' what is in fact old-fashioned politeness IMO.
PS no axe to grind personally over this, just an observation.


27 Jan 06 - 11:34 AM (#1656520)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: Wilfried Schaum

Thanks to all friends trying to enlighten me in the use of colloquial English, especially Geoff, Moses, and Richard who succeded and gave the exact answer to my question which was not about "queer" but possible other meanings of "folkĀ².
About the saying "there's nowt so queer ..." I should have asked my friend Skipjack K8 when he used it; so this my question would never have arisen.


27 Jan 06 - 07:46 PM (#1656755)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: GUEST

So you saw it, Martin?


27 Jan 06 - 08:05 PM (#1656760)
Subject: RE: BS: Queer as Folk - explain
From: s&r

I took it to be a crude play on 'folk' like 'Folk Hall' etc. It would then mean very queer.

Stu