The Queer Case of 'queer'

Now for something that stuck with me from my first year university exams in May, something that demonstrates the broad range of both my English degree and this blog. 

The etymology of the word queer I feel reflects its social usage and changing attitudes towards homosexuality that later became associated with it. The Indo-European root of the word means to 'twerk' or 'twist'. Queer is something that describes a disturbance. The first entry of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) came over 500 years ago in 1508. 

However, when reading An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory by Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle, I found it interesting that it is the 1922 entry of the word that has endured the test of time. This definition associates the word with homosexuality as an illness, suggesting that queer people can be separated from society by looking at them. This use of the word was popularised, yet I feel it is wrong that this is often the assumed definition of the word. The chart below is created by the Google Ngram viewer that searches books since 1800 for use of words. I think it is noteworthy that it shows how 'queer' and 'gay' followed similar trends in a period following the early 1920's.

Following the spread of AIDs in the 1980's and 90's, largely amongst gay men, the homosexual community decided to take ownership of the word 'queer'; this can be an example of 'linguistic reappropriation' and marks another twist in the development of 'queer'. In an attempt to create more positive connotations with the previously derogatory term, its original, purest definition of was used as an advantage. By making is appealing to be different from the norm, it made 'straight' individuals simply seems boring, living life well within the box! The result of this was a community of proud homosexuals. 

The point I would like to make about this subject, and the thing I found most important when I first learnt about Queer theory, is that 'queer' is not just about homosexuality, transgenderism, or bisexuality, it is not synonymous with gay or lesbian studies. Anything can be queer if it disturbs norms. Heterosexuality can be queer. 

I write this post aware that this is not new knowledge, I for one gained a lot of my understanding from the work of Bennett and Royle (I recommend you read their book), however I feel it is uncommon knowledge amongst the masses, and in the 21st century surely this should not be the case. 

Again I welcome your comments, you may strongly disagree with me or have experiences of your own that relate to this!