Polari

American  

[puh-lahr-ee, paw-] / pəˈlɑr i, pɔ- /

Also parlary

noun

1. a distinctive English argot in use since at least the 18th century among groups of theatrical and circus performers and in certain gay and lesbian communities, derived largely from Italian, directly or through Lingua Franca.

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Polari British  

/ pɑːˈljɑːrɪ, pəˈlɑːrɪ /

noun

1. an English slang that is derived from the Lingua Franca of Mediterranean ports; brought to England by sailors from the 16th century onwards. A few words survive, esp in male homosexual slang

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Etymology

Origin of Polari

First recorded in 1845–50; ultimately from Italian parlare “to speak, talk”; see parle

Example Sentences

The prize was canceled, and Polari vowed to “increase the representation of trans and gender non-conforming judges on the panels.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Founded in 2011, The Polari Prize is open to writers born or based in the UK or Ireland who write about the experiences of LGBTQ+ life.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2025

It was called Polari, a code of sorts used by gay people, convicts and traveling entertainers to help them make community in the 18th and 19th centuries.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2022

According to Mr. Baker, who has written two books on Polari, including “Fantabulosa: A Dictionary of Polari and Gay Slang,” the language is the product of “a very complicated and nonlinear chain” of events.

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2022

These jewels * * * were stolen from the Princess by one Polari, and were seized by the officers of the United States Customs in the hands of the thief.

From The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation Annotations of Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of the United States to June 30, 1952 by Corwin, Edward Samuel