Gay slang

Gay slang (sometimes gayspeak) refers to slang used predominantly among gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people (see also: Polari).

Related Topics:
Slang - Gay - Lesbian - Bisexuals - Transgender - Polari

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Slang frequently arises from the need or desire of a particular subculture to create or maintain secrecy, from want of recognition and acceptance, or fear of prejudice, persecution, or exposure; or to describe situations, acts and things not common in the dominant culture (see also argot).

Related Topics:
Subculture - Dominant - Argot

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Assimilation and use of slang also gives individuals a feeling of belonging - necessary in the creation, maintenance or reinforcement of a subculture, its values, politics and sociology.

Related Topics:
Assimilation - Maintenance - Subculture

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Many terms that originated as gay slang have become part of the popular lexicon. For example, the word drag, was popularized by Hubert Selby, Jr. in his book Last Exit to Brooklyn. "Drag" has been traced back by the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) to the late 19th Century.

Related Topics:
Lexicon - Drag - Hubert Selby - Last Exit to Brooklyn - Oxford English Dictionary

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