Gay as a maypole origin

RWRB explained: What does gay as a maypole mean? The phrase “gay as a maypole” is a playful and whimsical expression used to describe someone’s strong and unabashed homosexuality. 1 How are you celebrating the arrival of spring? Today, many of us in North America take to our local parks and trails to do so, but in times gone past communities marked the occasion with rituals such as dancing around the maypole. 2 Meaning of “Gay as a maypole” This phrase can be explained in multiple ways. Maypole is a tall pole that is erected on celebrations of May Day in many European countries. So Henry’s phrase could express the happiness that comes with the celebration of May Day. It could also come from the fact the maypoles are decorated with colorful ribbons – using all the colors from the rainbow. 3 Editor ATCWicca. Connecting the Pagan Community through News, Voice and Fellowship. 4 Erm, the expression is "Gay as a May-pole" and I suppose the saying came about in an older time, when gay meant happy or jolly or bright. A may-pole is a long white post sometimes with flowers and decorations on it, and many coloured and white ribbons on it. These ribbons are used to dance with, by maypole dancers (Now, I wonder who came up with that inventive name!?)I don't know for sure. 5 The most well known symbol of May Day 1st May is the maypole. The custom of dancing around the maypole is an ancient fertility rite, which is still performed today on village greens and at spring fetes. 6 Let’s kick off. “Gay as a maypole” is a double-barrelled reference, relating to both the gay (happy) celebration of dancing around the streamer covered maypole, and the fact that a Maypole is the banner staff of the Merry Mount gay colony. 7 Discover traditional folk customs, rituals and traditions on the Tradfolk. co website. 8 A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, around which a maypole dance often takes place. The festivals may occur on 1 May or Pentecost (Whitsun), although in some countries it is instead erected during Midsummer (20–26 June). 9 . 10 . 12