name
Gaylord
GAY-lawd
Gaylord (name) means an American surname, and a once-popular boy's first name derived from it, common up to the 1960s.
name
1
An American surname, and a once-popular boy's first name derived from it, common up to the 1960s.
noun
1
A slang, often derogatory, term for a man seen as unmasculine or considered gay.
2
A large box built to fit on a shipping pallet, used for moving bulk goods.
"They come sorted according to type, in large cardboard gaylord boxes (you'll see pumpkins in these containers at supermarkets) or shrink-wrapped on a pallet."
— Ellen Moorhouse, Where old computers go to die (2009)
How to use Gaylord
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOriginally just a surname and given name, it also picked up a mocking slang sense, and separately names a large pallet-sized shipping box.
Common mistake
As a first name it fell out of fashion once the word gained its slang meaning — context makes clear which sense is meant.
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Word forms
- Plural
- gaylords
- Comparative
- more gaylord
- Superlative
- most gaylord
Etymology
From the Old French surname Gaillard, meaning roughly "strong" or "lively"; over time English speakers reread the spelling as if it meant "gay lord," which gave the name its later slang meaning.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Gaylord” mean?
The word “Gaylord” means an American surname, and a once-popular boy's first name derived from it, common up to the 1960s. In plain terms, originally just a surname and given name, it also picked up a mocking slang sense, and separately names a large pallet-sized shipping box.
How do you pronounce “Gaylord”?
“Gaylord” is pronounced GAY-lawd (/ˈɡeɪˌlɔɹd/ in IPA).
What part of speech is “Gaylord”?
Depending on how it is used, “Gaylord” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Gaylord” come from?
The word “Gaylord” comes from Old French. From the Old French surname Gaillard, meaning roughly "strong" or "lively"; over time English speakers reread the spelling as if it meant "gay lord," which gave the name its later slang meaning.
How many meanings does “Gaylord” have?
“Gaylord” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an American surname, and a once-popular boy's first name derived from it, common up to the 1960s.
