Meaning
The supposed ability to detect whether or not a person is gay by observing that person's appearance, mannerisms, etc.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
Etymology tree English gay English radiotelegraphyclip. English radio Latin dētēctiōder. Latin dētēctiōnembor. English detection Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *h₂énti Proto-Germanic *andi Old English and Middle English and English and Proto-Indo-European *(H)rek-der. Proto-Celtic *reketi Gaulish *rekosbor.? Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ-der. Proto-Germanic *rinkanąder. Proto-Germanic *rankaz Frankish *rankbor.? Vulgar Latin *rencus Old French reng Proto-Italic *-āzi ▲ Latin -ereinflu. Latin -āre Old French -ier Old French rengierbor. Middle English rengen English range Middle English -ynge English -ing English ranging English RADAR English radar blend English gaydar Blend of gay + radar, equivalent to gay + -dar.
NYT Puzzle Appearances
No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2018, 2019, 2020.