#lgbtq

Polari for to smarten, fluff or style up — the word that gave us modern 'zhuzh'.

Polari for a dull or unavailable man — 'naff' here meaning ordinary, possibly 'not available for...'.

Polari for wonderful or marvellous — a blend of fabulous and fantastic with extra flourish.

Polari for a gay man — literally 'man-woman', a coded self-name under criminalisation.

Polari and wider British slang for a drink, usually alcoholic — short for 'beverage'.

A ballroom category of high-fashion, over-the-top glamour and extravagance.

Gossip, the latest news, or the truth — 'spill the tea' means tell me everything.

Polari for a woman or girl — likely from Italian 'paglione' or a Romance root.

Old-school ballroom slang for stealing — especially clothes to compete in.

Mature content — open to view.

Polari for none, no, or beware — a vital warning word in dangerous times.

Polari for the eyes, with 'ogles' a pair and 'ogle riahs' the eyelashes.

The ballroom emcee's call announcing the theme contestants must serve — 'the category is...'

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An ecstatic, drawn-out 'yes' — pure excitement and approval.

Makeup applied flawlessly and fully — a face that's beat is perfectly done.

To cleverly insult or call out someone's flaws with precision and wit.

An intensifier meaning 'completely' or 'to the max' — she served the house down.

A stylized ballroom dance of sharp poses, lines, and angular arm movements.

A ballroom category judged on how convincingly you embody a real-world look or role.

So shocked or amazed you're speechless — left gasping by something stunning.

A figure of authority and admiration — the icon everyone looks up to, or the head of a ballroom house.

So good it's almost offensive — a top-tier compliment for a flawless look or performance.

Hitting your moves or poses with full force and confidence — really going for it.

To deliver a flawless look or attitude with full confidence — she's serving.

Polari for a man — from Italian 'uomo', and the root of many compound terms.

Looking flawlessly tight, sharp, and perfect — hair, waist, or makeup on point.

The name of the cant itself — and a verb meaning to talk — Britain's secret gay language.

A playful term of endearment, like 'honey' — used to address a friend with sass.

Polari for the face — back-slang of 'ecaf', itself 'face' reversed.

Polari for to look at or to see — the verb of the discreet, knowing glance.

Polari for bad, naff or tacky — the opposite of bona.

Polari for good, fine or lovely — the warm thumbs-up at the heart of the cant.

Polari for a policeman — literally a 'searching man', the figure most feared by speakers.

A subtle, sly insult or disrespect — disrespect implied rather than said outright.

Polari for a toilet, lavatory or house — from Italian 'casa', and the root of Cockney 'khazi'.

To run off or flee fast — Polari and Cockney for making a quick getaway.

Polari for hair — simply 'hair' spelled backwards, a classic back-slang coining.

Polari and gay slang for masculine or tough — a presentation, not a slur.

A casual gathering for gossip, laughs, and good vibes with your people.

Polari for fortune or luck — a hopeful word from Romance roots.

A term of endearment for a close friend — 'sister' shortened, used regardless of gender.

Polari for pretty, nice or sweet — as in 'your dolly old eek'.

Polari for legs — the singular 'lally' meaning one leg.

A dramatic 'child' — used to express exasperation, shade, or storytime energy.

A hyped-up 'work it' — a shout of approval when someone looks or performs flawlessly.

Polari for a house, flat or room — your lattie was your private safe space.

Polari for make-up — the greasepaint of theatre folk, slapped on the eek.

Mature content — open to view.

Mature content — open to view.