Polari — Britain’s Secret Gay Slang
Polari was the coded language of Britain’s gay subculture — plus actors, sailors and fairground folk — through the decades when homosexuality was illegal. Drawn from Italian, Cockney, back-slang and Romani, it was a tool of survival and solidarity. Decoded here as heritage, with respect — drawing on Paul Baker’s scholarship.
29 words
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'.
Polari for a woman or girl — likely from Italian 'paglione' or a Romance root.
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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.
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Cockney back-slang for 'look' — a coded 'watch out' that later passed into Polari.
Polari for a man — from Italian 'uomo', and the root of many compound terms.
The name of the cant itself — and a verb meaning to talk — Britain's secret gay language.
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.
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.
Polari for fortune or luck — a hopeful word from Romance roots.
Polari for pretty, nice or sweet — as in 'your dolly old eek'.
Polari for legs — the singular 'lally' meaning one leg.
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.