Bad word for gay

TermContextual noteTime/Region Referencesace queenA 1970s UK/USA term, denoting a distinguished queen. Prison argot for a male individual who adopts a more androgynous presentation, exemplified by shaved legs and plucked eyebrows. Part of the incarcerated homosexual community. Distinct from the more commonplace term "ace," a contraction of "asexual." Refer to "asexual." UK, USA, 1970s Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary alphabet peopleAn offensive modern term for LGBTQ+ individuals, frequently deployed by right-wing individuals reacting to perceived progress in LGBTQ+ rights. 2020s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ bathroom queen

bog queen

Gay slang signifying individuals frequenting public restrooms in search of sexual encounters.

Synonyms: Bathsheba (a blend of "bathroom" and "Sheba" evoking the Queen of Sheba), Ghost (1950s slang, referring to their frequent roaming).

USA, UK Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary batting for the other teamA figurative expression indicating a person's homosexuality, non-offensive but somewhat outdated. This phrasing's continued use may impede access to resources regarding LGBTQ+ issues because it avoids direct language. It is frequently presented with a humorous tone. 20th and early 21st century bean queenSlang from US male homosexual communities signifying Mexican homosexuals. Contains racial undertones. Also applied to Latinx drag queens and white men attracted to Latino men. Mexico, USA Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary bearA multifaceted community designation. 1. A gay or bisexual male with prominent facial/body hair and a generally stout physique. 2. A descriptor for members of a subculture within the gay and bisexual male communities, often characterized by a comfortable embrace of natural masculinity and body image. Potentially self-descriptive; use quotation marks if this is the case. 20th Century- "LGBTQ+ Terminology," Montclair State University [1]beard

Miss Beard

An individual who poses as a romantic partner to conceal another's sexual orientation, typically employed to mask a man's homosexuality. 20th Century-, Europe, USA Homosaurus bicycle1960s slang for bisexual. Also, more broadly, a pejorative term for promiscuity, particularly applied to women. 1960s-, UK Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary bottomAn individual who is the receiving partner in sexual encounters. Frequently used, but quote marks may enhance context in historical narratives. Sometimes a self-descriptor within queer communities; use with care. Used sometimes as a verb (e.g., "to bottom for someone"). May be offensive if used by non-members of the community. Also see "top" and "switch." Homosaurus bronco

bronc

A young gay man, or someone newly entering the gay community. 1930s-, USA Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ butterfly

butterfly boy

Outdated gay community slang for a man perceived as effeminate. 1960s-1970s Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

caponA term from 1600s animal husbandry, referring to a castrated rooster. By the 20th century, American gay communities employed this term for a young or inexperienced gay man.

Considered offensive; no longer used.

USA, 1930s-1970s Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

Charlie Ronce

Charley

British rhyming slang for a pimp, or someone associated with pimping activities. UK Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ chaserShort for "tranny chaser." A person who views trans people, particularly trans women, as purely sexual objects. This implies a lack of respect and treats them as mere parts of a sexual fantasy, rather than individuals.

Reminder - "tranny" is extremely offensive and should be avoided.

20th Century-, Europe, USA GenderMinorities.com - Trans 101: glossary of trans words and how to use them cornhole

cornholer

Offensive American rural slang for anal sex or a gay man. Not to be confused with the game of the same name. 1920s-, USA Oxford English Dictionary. curry queenOffensive slang, primarily within American communities, describing a gay man attracted to Indian men. 1990s-, USA Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ Doric loveA 1920s expression for gay sex/romance referencing classical Greece, often carrying overtones of pederasty. 1920s, UK Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary double-gaited1920s-onwards slang for bisexual. 1920s-, USA Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

drag family

drag mother

house of

In the US, groups of drag queens mentored by a "mother" figure or "house," frequently adopting a family-like structure and close-knit community. Refer also to the "chosen family." 20th Century-, US Wikipedia - Drag Race Terminology [2]dyke

bulldyke

bulldagger

Contested term. A highly offensive slur for lesbians, although some lesbian communities have reclaimed it for internal use. Use only if self-identified; quote marks should be used when quoting.

"Bulldyke" and "bulldagger" are frequently used for butch lesbians or masculine queer women, sometimes with aggressive or assertive connotations; quote if used in reference to a self-descriptor.

1930s-, US, UK LGBTQ+ Terminology, Montclair State University [3]

Oxford English Dictionary Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

eggAn online slang term, typically used by trans individuals in reference to persons who are in the early stages of recognizing or transitioning. "Speculations about transness" or "discussions about early transition experiences" are preferable substitutes in most cases.21st century, online Wikipedia - List of LGBT Slang Terms

Emily St. James, Vox[4]

faggot

fagot

faggotry

faggoty

fag

faggy

fagged

An extremely offensive slur for a gay man, frequently implying effeminacy or weakness. Hate speech in most contexts, especially the US.

Distinct from other, non-offensive meanings: "fag" (cigarette in British English), "faggot" (bundle of wood or herbs); Historical (Middle Ages) association with heresy/witchcraft; regional UK cuisine (meatball). The term "fagged" or "fagged out" historically meant tired or exhausted. Use quotation marks and clarifying details for non-slurring contexts.

(as a slur) 1940s-, US, later UK Oxford English Dictionary

Moscas de Colores

fag hagA derogatory term for a heterosexual woman (often older) perceived to be attracted to gay men, offensive to gay men and misogynistic to heterosexual women. Rarely used within queer communities today. 1960s- Oxford English Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

fag stagA heterosexual man attracted to gay men. Rare. 1990s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ fairySlang for a gay man, potentially stemming from earlier slang for a promiscuous woman. Contested term; originally offensive, but reclaimed by some gay men in the 1960s. Use only if the individual self-identifies. 1890s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ fairy ladyInconsistent definitions: Some sources indicate a feminine lesbian; others a bisexual person of any gender.

Based primarily on unreliable slang dictionaries of the 1920s and later; cannot be corroborated from other sources.

1920s-? Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ flame

flamer

flaming

"Flaming" can be a general intensifier or curse, frequently associated with effeminate gay men and camp culture. Often used affectionately, especially by older generations, but offensive when used by others. Use quotation marks if self-identifying. 20th Century- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ flip-flop

flip flop

Slang referring to bisexuality or someone who switches between "top" and "bottom" roles in sexual encounters. Common among incarcerated individuals in the US. 1970s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ flower

daisy

pansy

tulip

water-lily

Various flowers used to insult feminine gay men, especially "pansy."

Insinuates misogynistic ideas, suggesting weakness, lack of threat, and cowardice. Offensive; often a malicious slur.

1890s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ flute

fluter

flute-player

Outdated slang for fellatio (oral sex on a man) and the person performing it. 1900s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ foopRare slang for a gay man. 1890s Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ forty-one

41

Texas slang for a gay man, stemming from a 1901 Mexico City scandal involving cross-dressing individuals. The number 41 became an associated term for illicit sexuality. Texas, USA; Mexico Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary friend of dorothyCoded slang for gay, referencing the character Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. UK, USA, 1970s- Moscas de Colores

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

fritRare slang for a gay man. UK, USA, 1970s Moscas de Colores

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

fruit

fruity

Slang for gay men, particularly effeminate ones; outdated and often offensive due to implied victimhood or weakness. Various related terms exist, including: bowl of fruit, fruitcake, fruit-eater, fruitloop, and fruit-picker.20th Century- Moscas de Colores

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

gay cat

gaycat

Slang, primarily from the first half of the 20th century in marginalized US communities. Generally refers to a younger gay partner. 1900s-1950s, USA Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

gay lord

gaylord

Derogatory slang for a gay man. 1970s-, UK, USA Oxford English Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

gentleman of the back door18th-century slang for a gay man, primarily from slang dictionaries of that era; lacks strong corroboration of actual usage. 18th Century-, UK Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

Norena Shopland, A Practical Guide to searching LGBTQIA historical records (Routledge 2021

ginger

ginger beer

Brighton Pier

jere

gear

King Lear

Cockney rhyming slang for "queer." 20th Century-, UK Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary girlSometimes a slur for a gay man due to assumptions about lower status associated with femininity. Also, a term of affection between gay men, but likely less romantic.

More likely a term of camaraderie than a romantic one.

1910s- Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

giverSlang for the "active" partner in sexual encounters. The giver/receiver dichotomy is now widely understood as a heteronormative construct. 20th Century-, UK, USA Moscas de Colores gold starSlang for those who haven't had opposite-gender sex; can include bisexuals. Predominantly within lesbian communities; now recognized as biphobic. 20th Century- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ gonsel

gunsel

gunshel

gunsil

Slang within marginalized US communities (e.g., incarcerated individuals) for a young gay man or boy. 20th Century, USA Moscas de Colores

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

gumpSlang used by incarcerated men in the US to refer to the "receiving" partner in gay sex. 1980s-, USA Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

gym rat

gym bunny

muscle mary

A devoted gym-goer; used especially for gay men focused on body building. 1970s-, USA, Scotland Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

Harry Hoofter

iron hoofter

iron hoof

iron

woolie woofter

wooly

Cockney rhyming slang (rhyming with "poofter"), derogatory for gay men. 20th Century- Wikipedia - List of LGBT Slang Terms hip-hitter1970s term for a masculine gay man. 1970s, USA Moscas de Colores

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

homoShortened form of "homosexual," frequently used derogatorily. Use the full term in discussion. 1920s- Moscas de Colores

Oxford English Dictionary

jockerSlang within marginalized US communities (e.g., incarcerated, homeless) for an older, potentially predatory gay man. 1890s-, USA Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ left-handed1930s US slang for gay, derogatory towards both left-handers and gay people. 1930s, USA Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ lipstick lesbianGenerally refers to a lesbian with a feminine expression. May be positive or negative depending on the user. Sometimes used for lesbians who appear heterosexual; "femme lesbian" is often a more suitable alternative. Use only if a self-descriptor. Use quotation marks if necessary.20th Century- "LGBTQ+ Terminology," Montclair State University [5]Nancy

Nancy boy

Nance

Mary

Mary-Ann

Molly

Nelly

Women's names frequently appropriated as slurs for gay men, particularly effeminate or transfeminine individuals. "Nancy" is a common example across the 20th century.

All offensive; avoid using unless necessary. Consult the section on "Molly" for specific historical context.

Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

prushonSlang in marginalized US communities (e.g., homeless, incarcerated) for a young gay man traveling with an older companion. 1890s-1980s Moscas de Colores

Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

punk

punker

Originally a term for sex workers, then adopted to refer to gay men, often those in a submissive role. Used within incarcerated and marginalized communities and, later, as a slur within some African-American communities.

Not related to the 1970s punk rock movement.

(as slang for gay) 19th Century- Oxford English Dictionary rough tradeSlang for straight men who have occasional sexual relationships with gay men (typically as the "top"). 1960s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/

Claire Hayward, "Queer Terminology: LGBTQ Histories and the Semantics of Sexuality." [6]

stoke

Stoke-on-Trent

Cockney rhyming slang for "bent," meaning gay. 1980s-, UK Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ studA community term for masculine queer women, of African-American or Latinx descent. Use only if self-identified and not for white people; a term from those communities. 20th Century-, USA "LGBTQ+ Terminology," Montclair State University [7]sugar daddyBlack community expression (1920s) for an older wealthy partner; subsequently adopted by the LGBTQIA+ community. 1920s- Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary swings the other way

swinging both ways

Outdated euphemisms for homosexuality or bisexuality, often presented humorously; may obstruct research. Avoid using instead of direct terminology. Do not confuse with the meaning of "swinging" alone, which describes non-monogamous practices. 1960s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - https://greensdictofslang.com/ swish

swisher

swishy

Slang for a feminine gay man, originating in 1930s USA. Use caution and clarifying LGBTQ+ vocabulary. 1930s-, US Mosca de Colores - Gay Dictionary

Green's Dictionary of Slang [8]

switch

vers

Queer slang for those who alternate between "giver" and "receiver" in sexual encounters. "Vers" is short for "versatile". "Switch" can also relate to BDSM contexts. See also "top" and "bottom." 20th Century- Homosaurus switch-hitterAmerican baseball-related slang for bisexual, appearing in the 20th century. 20th Century-, US Moscas de Colores topAn individual who acts as the "giving" partner in sexual encounters. Use quotation marks and context for historical accuracy; sometimes a self-descriptor within queer communities. See also "bottom" and "switch." Use with caution if applied outside of the community. Homosaurus trannyHighly offensive slur for transgender people; originally used to conflate "transsexuals," transvestites, and drag queens, usually against trans women. Avoid using entirely.

Reminder - "tranny" is extremely offensive.

1970s- Green's Dictionary of Slang [9]

Oxford English Dictionary

twinkA frequently-used gay slang term for a young, often non-muscular man; potentially a self-descriptor. Always use quotation marks when using in a discussion. 20th Century- "LGBTQ+ Terminology," Montclair State University [10]