homos

The term homos is a slang abbreviation that can refer to homosexual people, particularly gay men. Its acceptability is highly context dependent; in many settings it can be offensive or demeaning when used as a noun or insult. In respectful writing, it is generally advisable to use terms such as gay men, gay people, or homosexual people, depending on the individual's self-identified label.

In biological classification, the genus Homo refers to humans and their extinct relatives. The plural form Homo is used in taxonomy, and the term homos is not standard in scientific contexts. When discussing biology or anthropology, it is important to distinguish this usage from slang or colloquial language about sexual orientation.

Etymology and usage: The word homosexual originated in the 19th century from Greek and Latin roots meaning “same” and “sex.” The short form homo or homos emerged informally in various contexts and can be perceived as casual or pejorative outside specific communities. Reclamation efforts exist in some groups, but many people still find the term inappropriate for general or formal communication.

In media and culture, the term may appear in dialogue, headlines, or online discourse. Style guides and responsible publications typically discourage using homos except when quoting someone or when discussing reclaimed usage, and they often favor more precise or respectful alternatives.

See also: Homosexuality, LGBTQ+ topics, Homo genus.