Having a flavor like wild game; also can mean showing pluck or spirit, or slightly questionable in character.
From 'game' (wild animals hunted for food) plus the suffix '-y.' Originally referred to the taste or smell of game meat, later extended metaphorically to describe bold or daring behavior.
Venison tastes 'gamy' because wild animals eat varied diets and develop complex flavors—farm-raised meat doesn't have that same character, so 'gamy' became a marker of 'wild and authentic' in cuisine and personality!
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