Pansies in Piccadilly

Velvetclown wrote: Not sure, but Circus could be old English for Roundabout ???

If by 'Old English' you mean 1930s, you're half right. In the early days of the BBC, a panel of experts was convened (among them George Bernard Shaw) in order to decide what, exactly, constituted 'correct' English. This committee decided that what we now know as a roundabout should be called a gyratory circus, but for some reason it never caught on. It does survive in a few places, such as the notorious Hanger Lane Gyratory on London's North Circular road. Negotiating that would make the Dalai Lama swear .

That, however, is not the etymology of Picadilly Circus - that is an older term, referring to a round, open space in a town where several streets converge. There are several in central London, including Cambridge Circus, which is about 20 minutes walk from Picadilly.

tuxon wrote: BTW. I'm as straight as an oaktree in a small breeze.

Really? I bend a little to the right.

Must have been all those meetings with Mrs Plamer and her five daughters...

I blame Reed Lover for that !!!!!!!!!! ( I blame him for everything, neat eh )

And one Elephant for that drunk Tuxon

Syzygy wrote: Pixel Pirate wrote: The arts in general have always had a much larger share of gay people than other professions,don't quite know why though. Not true. The arts in general have always had a much larger share of people who are OPENLY gay. Here in the UK there is plenty of homophobia, but being open about your sexuality does no damage to a career in music or the arts - witness Elton John, George Michael, David Hockney and Ian McKellen, all of whom are generally regarded as national treasures. Elton John is a well established royal favourite, and Ian McKellen has a knighthood. If you really think that this is a bad thing, look up Alan Turing online and read about what he achieved and the shameful events which led to his death. You could also read the story of Justin Fashanu, a gifted football player. By the way, you've all missed Rob Halford of Judas Priest - bet that one shocked you!

Have I ever said I was hostile to gay people?! I really take offence at that,and I'm being serious. Where do you get that from my completely innocent statement? Only idiots are hostile to gays,only religious fundamentalists and Ku Klux Klan members,and I will not be lumped in with those guys,thank you very much! I also think how Alan Turing was treated was disgraceful and also how all gay people have been treated though the ages in general has been appaling, and it's impossible to have any other view and still be considered a civilized being. DON'T ASSUME THINGS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE!

maani wrote: As a matter of history, it is true that there has been more "open" homosexuality in the arts than in most other areas of endeavor.

Actually if we're talking percentage... I live in NYC... I find more opening gay men in the travel industry and fashion and beauty.. than I do in the arts.  I know quite a few gay actors and dancers.. but I know 4 times many straight ones... I can't say that about my hotel/airline reps, male fashion designers or my hair dressers...