Polari slang
The Evolution of Polari: A Disguised Language Unveiled
The origins of Polari, a form of cant slang, can be traced back to the 19th century in the United Kingdom. Born out of the interactions between various subcultures and societal groups, including seafarers, traveling entertainers, criminals, and gay men, Polari became an intriguing linguistic tapestry that served a particular purpose - creating a secret language within a wider society that often was not accepting of certain groups or lifestyles.
Polari's Beginnings:
The roots of Polari are believed to date back to a period when circuses and fairgrounds were hubs of entertainment. Performers, known as "showmen," developed a lingo called Parlyaree that helped to differentiate them from the 'rubes' or general public. Similarly, sailors used a version known as Lingua Franca or Mediterranean Lingua Franca, a pidgin language used to facilitate communication in the diverse and multinational environment of the sea.
Polari and the Gay Subculture in the 20th Century:
In the first half of the 20th century, when being openly gay was ille
Polari: The Lost Language of Gay Men
What is Polari?
Polari is a more recent spelling. In the past, it was also known as Palari, Palare, Parlaree or a variety of similar spellings. It is mainly a lexicon, derived from a variety of sources. Some of the most common include rhyming slang, backslang (saying a word as if it's spelt backwards), Italian, Occitan, French, Lingua Franca, American airforce slang, drug-user slang, Parlyaree (an older form of slang used by tinkers, beggars and travelling players) and Cant (an even older form of slang used by criminals). Polari can be classed as a language variety, a sociolect, or an anti-language.
While it was mainly used as a lexicon, some of the more adept speakers were so good at it, that it resembled a language, with its own grammatical rules, distinct to English. In , Cambridge University labelled Polari as an "endangered language".
Who used it?
Mainly gay men, although also lesbians, female impersonators, theatre people, prostitutes and sea-queens (gay men in the merchant navy). It was not limited to gay men, however.
The origins of Polari: How Bona to Vada your Dolly Aged Eek
12 Apr
In a recent blog post about the Evolving English exhibition, I mentioned Polari.
Polari (or alternatively palari, parlare, parlary) was a secret language or gay slang, popular with the British gay community from about until the s, and made famous by the s radio show Round the Horne with Kenneth Williams.
But what are its origins? Well, Polari is a complex language and a mixture of rhyming slang; backslang; Italian; Occitan; French, parlyaree, a slang used by sailors and travellers; cant, a slang used by criminals; and Yiddish. There was a West End dialect, based on theatre-speak and an East End dialect that was spoken by sailors and canal men. And because of the popularity of the radio show, Polari could often be found in numerous middle-class households in the Sixties.
I recall my Mother saying to me when I&#;d fallen over &#;come on, give me a butcher’s at your lallies and dannies&#; Which is a heady combination of cockney rhyming slang (butcher&#;s hook, look), Polari for legs and Yorkshire slang for han
Polari
Polari (also seen as 'Palare') is a gay slang language, which has now almost died out. It was more common in the 's when gays had more need of a secret slang. When I started to research Polari, it was adj to find any written material about Polari as what tiny used to exist was out of print. However, in the last few years, more and more people have been finding out about it, and several web sites and magazine articles have been written.
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 fond 'bona' can still be seen in gay publications, used for camp effect. There are even hairdressers in London and Brighton called "Bona Riah".
Polari itself was never clearly defined: an ever-changing collection of slang from various sources including Italian, English (backwards slang, rhyming slang), circus slang, canal-speak, Yiddish and Gypsy languages. It is impossible to tell which slang words are real Polari.
In London, there was a Wes