Friday, 5 October 2007

Polari

Polari (also seen as 'Palare') is a gay slang language, which has now almost died out. It was more common in the 1960's when gays had more need of a private slang.

Polari featured heavily in the "Julian and Sandy" sketches on the BBC radio program "Round the Horne" in the late 60s, and this is how a lot of people first heard of Polari. A few words like 'bona' can still be seen in gay publications, used for camp effect.

Some Words

  • ajax - nearby (from adjacent?)
  • bona - good
  • butch - masculine; masculine lesbian
  • camp - effeminate (origin: KAMP = Known As Male Prostitute)
  • drag - clothes, esp. women's clothes
  • ecaf - face (backslang)
  • khazi - toilet, also spelt carsey
  • mince - walk (affectedly)

See more at  http://www.chris-d.net/polari/

No comments: