Swish (slang)

Swish (slang)

"Swish" is a derogatory term [Stanley, J. P. (1974) "When We Say 'Out of the Closets!'" "College English", 36, 7.] for effeminate behaviour and interests (camp), emphasized and sanctioned [Kleinberg, Seymour. "unknown article." "Christopher Street", March 1978. Cited in Levine 1998.] in pre-Stonewall gay male communities. This behaviour is also described as being "nelly". Wentworth and Flexner define "swish" as a noun meaning "a male homosexual, esp. one with obviously feminine traits". [Wentworth, Harold and Stuart Berg Flexner. "Dictionary of American Slang". Thomas Y. Crowell, 1967.]

Being swish includes sashaying and the use of limp wrists, falsetto voices, feminine pronouns, and superlatives (Sonenschein 1969; Tripp 197?, both cited in Levine 1998)—basically, everything up to the other side of camp, or drag.

"Extravagant language is common. Such expressions as 'Oh my word!' 'Good heavens!' and 'Oh, my dear!' are readily associated with other aspects of a feminine man. In describing ordinary experiences the male variant is likely to use such words as 'terrific,' 'fabulous,' 'completely devoted,' 'horrible,' 'tremendous,' 'sublimely,' 'charming,' 'appalling,' 'vicious,' 'loathed,' and 'madly.' Exaggerations are made more conspicuous by placing undue or inappropriate emphasis on certain syllables and intonations which leave little doubt of the effeminacy of the speaker." (Henry, 1955, p. 291, cited in Levine 1998)

Although being butch was viewed as deviant and socially unacceptable by gay male society (Warren 1972, 1974; Helmer 1963, both cited in Levine 1998), being swish has since lost its mainstream gay status post-Stonewall, and in addition to being used occasionally by straight people is now most often derogatory even when used by gay men. Though it may be assumed that most post-Stonewall gay men view acting swish as internalized homophobia, a concession to straight stereotypes of gay men as failed men (or women); however, "clone"—the masculine, even macho, standard and ideal behaviour that replaced swish—adapted many camp elements such as dish.

Thus while clones view swish as harmfully embodying anti-gay stereotypes, being swish was a way of indicating and performing one's identity, indicating that anti-gay stereotypes were and are derived from gay identitiesFact|date=April 2008. Further, one could turn one's swish on or off, as described by Martin Levine in "Gay Macho": cquote|Just look at all these clones dear...they all look so 'butch.' But I remember when everyone was 'nelly.' What a joke!...Over the last few years I have watched many of these girls change as the times changed. A couple of years ago, they had puny bodies, lisping voices, and elegant clothes. At parties or Tea Dances, they came in dresses, swooning over Garbo and Davis. Now, they've 'butched up,' giving up limp wrists and mincing gaits for bulging muscles and manly handshakes, giving up fancy clothes and posh pubs for faded jeans and raunchy discos. [Levine, Martin P. "Gay Macho". New York: New York University Press, 1998, p. 55–6.]

References

Further reading

* "Swish: My Quest to Become the Gayest Person Ever" by Joel Derfner, Broadway Books, 2008.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Swish — may refer to: *Swish (Basketball), a widespread colloquial term for a perfect shot which goes through the basket without touching the rim or backboard. *Swish (slang), a term used to describe effeminate behaviour and interests in gay male… …   Wikipedia

  • swish — [swish] vi. [echoic] 1. to move with a sharp, hissing sound, as a cane swung through the air 2. to move with a light, brushing sound, as skirts in walking 3. Basketball to pass through the basket without hitting the hoop or backboard: said of a… …   English World dictionary

  • Swish — Swish, v. t. [From the sound. Cf. {Swash}.] 1. To flourish, so as to make the sound swish. Coleridge. [1913 Webster] 2. To flog; to lash. [Slang] Thackeray. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • swish|y — «SWIHSH ee», adjective, swish|i|er, swish|i|est. 1. characterized by a swishing sound or motion. 2. Slang. effeminate; homosexual …   Useful english dictionary

  • swish — (v.) 1756, probably imitative of the sound made by something brushing against or through something. The noun is from 1820; sense of effeminate homosexual is 1930s in homosexual slang, probably from notion of mincing motion …   Etymology dictionary

  • swish — swisher, n. swishingly, adv. /swish/, v.i. 1. to move with or make a sibilant sound, as a slender rod cutting sharply through the air or as small waves washing on the shore. 2. to rustle, as silk. 3. to move or behave in an exaggeratedly… …   Universalium

  • swish´er — swish1 «swihsh», verb, noun. –v.i. 1. to move with a thin, light, hissing or brushing sound: »The whip swished through the air. 2. to make such a sound: »The long gown swished as she danced across the floor. –v.t. to cause to swish: »The cow… …   Useful english dictionary

  • swish — Canadian Slang Homemade low quality liquor. Made by taking leftover, used, liquor aging barrels and swishing water in them to absorb the alcohol from the wood. Absolutely terrible. In BC, the British context of swish can be heard, as in slickly… …   English dialects glossary

  • swish —    American (of a male)    to flaunt your homosexuality    He conducts himself in a manner recognized by fellow homosexuals, possibly from the slang meaning, smart. A swish is a homosexual male …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • swish — swɪʃ n. rustling sound, light brushing sound; swift motion that makes a rustling sound; rod, stick used for flogging; effeminate homosexual (Derogatory Slang) v. produce a rustling or hissing sound; move swiftly with a rustling sound; cause to… …   English contemporary dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”