Neil Patrick Harris And Stephen Colbert Discuss Gay Vernacular: VIDEO
Actor Neil Patrick Harris appeared on Stephen Colbert's Comedy Central show last night to discuss his upcoming gig as the host of this weekend's Tony Awards.
But of course the conversation veered away from the topic at hand and into all sorts of realms, including why Colbert finds Harris to be a threat — "You make being gay not seem threatening" — and the difference between straight and gay vernacular.
For example, straight folk apparently say "right on" (a phrase I personally adore) and gay folk say "Damn Skippy," a phrase I had never heard before and suspect NPH invented on the spot. Or maybe Harris and Colbert exist in a parallel linguistic dimension?
Judge for yourself AFTER THE JUMP.
I am in love with NPH. sigh. he already has the dream family.
Posted by: DRG | Jun 7, 2012 10:13:15 AM
Damn Skippy -
Not just yes, but HELL yes.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=damn%20skippy
Posted by: JAB | Jun 7, 2012 10:15:07 AM
Continually likable and classy.
Posted by: James C | Jun 7, 2012 10:15:40 AM
While NPH didn't just invent "Damn Skippy," I think previously only outrageous old Southern Ladies said it after one too many wine coolers. Now we'll hear it coast to coast!
Posted by: David Sweeney | Jun 7, 2012 10:23:40 AM
Yep, also in love with NPH! So adorable and funny.
Posted by: Derek Pearce | Jun 7, 2012 10:29:14 AM
I just love NPH. David is a lucky guy.
Posted by: Kevin | Jun 7, 2012 10:32:00 AM
Never heard "Damn Skippy?" What a sheltered life you lead! It's a dusty, old phrase with unknown origins that someone knows but exclusively gay? No.
Posted by: BarryW | Jun 7, 2012 10:34:26 AM
The only person I know who says "right on" is also the only person I know who says "damn skippy."
Posted by: Distingue Traces | Jun 7, 2012 10:35:32 AM
I use damn skippy all the time. (and I'm not that old). It's a pretty common phrase, or at least I thought so. Then again, I am from Georgia, so that might explain it.
Posted by: Daniel | Jun 7, 2012 10:47:03 AM
Well, one thing is for certain: straight men never use the word "adore" or "adorable", as in: "For example, straight folk apparently say "right on" (a phrase I personally adore) and gay folk say "Damn Skippy,"
Neither do masculine gay men.
And I personally have never heard the phrase "Damn Skippy" in my entire life.
And maybe one reason Neil is not threatening (or annoying) to straight people is that he does not behave effeminately......a pattern that I think you would see is pretty consistent with gay men in general. Effeminacy is the obstacle to acceptance, not homosexuality.
Posted by: Rick | Jun 7, 2012 10:47:05 AM
if that were true, Rick, then you'd be the most Out guy in the country.
as is, you're one of the biggest closeted cowards. because not only are you not remotely masculine, you're not even Out. poor ricky, never got over the fact that his dad didn't love him. hating effeminate gay men will not change the fact that your dad didn't love you, that those men you hate are Out and you're not, and no matter how desperately you cling to this anonymous-internet handle as an outlet for your rage, you will die a lonely death and nobody will mourn you.
just keeping it real.
keep hating effeminacy. won't make the gay men you hate disappear, and it seems to work wonders at keeping cowards like you closeted. so it's a good thing. and remember - you'll die alone and unloved, just like your dad wanted. so yay :D
Posted by: LittleKiwi | Jun 7, 2012 10:54:24 AM
I used to use "Damn Skippy" all the time when I was a kid (and that was over two decades ago in New Jersey). So it's not just in the south nor was it born right there. In fact, I think I'm gonna start bringing it back... along with "that's mint" and "bitchin'".
Posted by: Reybee | Jun 7, 2012 10:58:48 AM
I've head "Damn Skippy" before ... but then my mother has a ton of old fashioned phrases that she loves to trot out when she thinks no one's listening ... like "sh*t fire and save matches!" ... that one's my favorite.
Posted by: Pitt90 | Jun 7, 2012 11:01:39 AM
"Damn Skippy" is more Southern than Gay, IMO.
The key gay eord is of course "Fabulous."
I've been doing my best to popularize "Oh Prunella!" which was invented by gay icon Bugs Bunny.
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Jun 7, 2012 11:19:39 AM
"Damn Skippy" is ancient, Andy. It comes from pre-WWII era and means the same as "damn right". This from the same generation that gave us "Sweating like an old whore in church."
Posted by: Mommie Dammit | Jun 7, 2012 11:22:44 AM
Every time I see Neil Patrick Harris, I like him a little bit more. He's a bundle of talent, quick witted, intelligent, and totally easy on the eyes! Who knew Doogie would turn in to this!!!
Posted by: Mitch | Jun 7, 2012 11:23:04 AM
(i just realized that RICK is the voice of the "manliness-tapes" that Kevin Kline's character listens to in 'In & Out')
damn skippy must be a US thing - my canuck self has never heard of it before.
Posted by: LittleKiwi | Jun 7, 2012 11:25:11 AM
Now the words "adore" and "adorable" are markers of femininity? Keeping track of all this must be exhausting for you, Rick.
(p.s. One of the most "masculine" gay men I've ever known frequently described guys he liked as adorable. Then again, he was comfortable enough in his masculinity and his homosexuality that he didn't constantly worry about whether he'd be perceived as feminine or not).
Posted by: Dan E | Jun 7, 2012 11:30:03 AM
Stephen Colbert always has such great chemistry with gay guests! NPH, Andy Cohen, Dan Savage, etc. Look up those interviews on Colbert's website because they're a delight.
And yes "You're damn skippy!" is old.
Posted by: Caliban | Jun 7, 2012 11:33:26 AM
"Now the words "adore" and "adorable" are markers of femininity? Keeping track of all this must be exhausting for you, Rick"
Why would it be "exhausting" and why would I need to "keep track" of anything, when just behaving naturally works just fine?
Use whatever words you like--I was just making an observation about usage, which is what this whole story was about, wasn't it?
Posted by: Rick | Jun 7, 2012 11:39:47 AM
Just when you thought he couldn't be any more loveable, he does this. And Colbert is still amazingly quick.
Posted by: DiatribesAndOvations | Jun 7, 2012 11:44:08 AM
I've never heard of "damn skippy", which sounds to me like you've just got peanut butter on your clothes. "Right On" is from the 70's as one of many temporary replacements for "cool". The last I've heard that I can remember would probably be "chillin".
Harris threatening? How about adorable and cuddly instead? Would any str8 guy turn down a man-date with him?
Posted by: anon | Jun 7, 2012 11:46:11 AM
NPH most definitely did NOT invent "Damn Skippy." I've been using it for years.
Posted by: Brian | Jun 7, 2012 11:49:04 AM
I love NPH. He is one of the very best role models for the gay community and a respected gay actor who make us all look very good. Did anyone see the recent Oprah interview with NPH and family? Did NPH reveal which twin is his biological child? (I think it is the little girl.) I do know they used two eggs from the same female, each fertilized separately, one with NPH the other with David sperm and carried in separate surrogate making them fraternal twins. Suppose we'll know which is which as they grow older.
Posted by: OS2Guy | Jun 7, 2012 11:53:30 AM
I have an extremely straight friend who describes good-looking men as being "cute as a button." Comfortable straight guys don't care about acknowledging that other men are attractive. Some even offer to be my wing men.
Posted by: Paul R | Jun 7, 2012 12:21:02 PM