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:What makes homophobia a slur word is that the suffix "phobia" connotes a mental disorder, an irrational fear. The morpheme phob- means fear. But this morpheme is not merely historical in significance (etymology, diachronic linguistics). If in fact phobia were merely a matter of historical derivation, then this term would not have the polemical debater force that it has as a slur word. Instead of speaking of etymology, the issue is morphology and associated present semantics (synchronic linguistics). As a suffix, a phobia is a generative suffix in contemporary usage. When one adds -phobia to a word, immediately persons understand that an irrational fear of something is connoted. The force of this suffix has not faded in time to be merely a matter of the word's etymology. Etymological meaning is often faded (like dios in adios -- no present reference to God is felt or communicated in saying goodbye with "adios"). ([[User:Thunkful|Thunkful]] 17:44, 16 June 2010 (EDT))
:What makes homophobia a slur word is that the suffix "phobia" connotes a mental disorder, an irrational fear. The morpheme phob- means fear. But this morpheme is not merely historical in significance (etymology, diachronic linguistics). If in fact phobia were merely a matter of historical derivation, then this term would not have the polemical debater force that it has as a slur word. Instead of speaking of etymology, the issue is morphology and associated present semantics (synchronic linguistics). As a suffix, a phobia is a generative suffix in contemporary usage. When one adds -phobia to a word, immediately persons understand that an irrational fear of something is connoted. The force of this suffix has not faded in time to be merely a matter of the word's etymology. Etymological meaning is often faded (like dios in adios -- no present reference to God is felt or communicated in saying goodbye with "adios"). ([[User:Thunkful|Thunkful]] 17:44, 16 June 2010 (EDT))
==The Definition of Homophobia==
Does homophobia refer to fear of offending homosexuals?
:One realizes that it is description, rather than prescription primarily at issue. In defining a word it is more scientific to merely observe how the word is used and report on it instead of saying "how it should be used" or "how it must be used." Of course part of the description is observing the emotive connotations and the polemical aspect, if there is one. Nonetheless, persons who have agendas may start using and declaring what a word means in hopes that their usage will spread to the point that lexicographers will write the definition their way. Research would be needed establish that the word "homophobia" is more properly defined as fear of offending homosexuals and suffering a counter attack from them. ([[User:Thunkful|Thunkful]] 17:53, 16 June 2010 (EDT))