Polari
[ puh-lahr-ee, paw- ]
noun
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.
Origin of Polari
1First recorded in 1845–50; ultimately from Italian parlare “to speak, talk”; see parle
- Also par·la·ry [puh-lahr-ee, par-], /pəˈlɑr i, par-/, par·lya·ree [puhl-yahr-ee, pahrl-] /pəlˈyɑr i, pɑrl-/ .
Words Nearby Polari
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for Polari
Polari
Parlyaree (pɑːˈljɑːrɪ)
/ (pəˈlɑːrɪ) /
noun
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
Origin of Polari
1C19: from Italian parlare to speak
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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