the term "gay" has a rich and complex history in its linguistic evolution, particularly within the french language. while the english phrase "gay paris" once evoked images of a cheerful, vibrant city, its modern interpretation is often influenced by the contemporary understanding of "gay" as pertaining to homosexuality.
this exploration delves into the nuances of french slang and terminology used to describe homosexual individuals, tracing their origins and evolving meanings.
the historical context of "gay paris"
the phrase "gay paris" emerged in english long before the term "gay" acquired its exclusively sexual connotation.
it was used to describe paris as a city of merriment, fashion, and lightheartedness. this sentiment conjures an idealized image of the city, often associated with accordion music and iconic landmarks like the champs-élysées. however, this perception can be seen as a romanticized view, perhaps influenced by popular media and a tourist's perspective, overlooking the city's grittier realities.
linguistic roots and evolving meanings
the french language, like many others, has a diverse lexicon for referring to homosexual individuals, often with origins in slang, historical context, or derogatory associations.
understanding these terms requires delving into their etymology and social usage.
'lapin' and its associations
the term 'lapin', meaning "bunny" in french, has a historical connection to certain services provided within male boarding schools in the mid-19th to early 20th centuries.
this usage is thought to be linked to older french words like 'lespin', which referred to male or female prostitutes. the phonetic proximity of 'lapin' to other terms with similar meanings, such as 'tapin', further complicates its origin narrative.
while 'mon petit lapin' (my little bunny) is now an affectionate term for children, the historical context suggests a more complex and potentially negative association.
'lavette' and feminization as insult
the word 'lavette' is used to describe a weak, characterless, or cowardly man.
it has been applied to homosexual men, reflecting a societal tendency to attribute negative traits to them, often those socially associated with women. this pattern is evident in similar expressions found in quebec, such as 'mauviette' (weak), 'femmelette' (little woman), and 'moumoune' (pussy), all used to demean gay people through feminization.
'lesbin' and its connection to prostitution
'lesbin' is believed to derive from 'lespin', an old french term for prostitute.
while a direct linguistic link to 'lesbienne' (lesbian) is not definitively established, their phonetic similarity is notable. historical connections between lesbian sexuality and prostitution are acknowledged, as are broader linguistic trends where insults directed at prostitutes often extend to homosexual men, mirroring the evolution of the word "gay" itself.
'lope' and the 'salope' connection
the term 'lope' is identified as an insult for male homosexuals, potentially originating from an abbreviation of the insult 'sa lope'.
'salope', meaning "dirty" or "slut," has ancient french roots, possibly linked to the saying 'sales comme une huppe' (dirty as a hoopoe). the transition from 'salope' to 'lope' as a derogatory term for homosexual men suggests a linguistic process of abbreviation and adaptation.
further evolution led to 'lopaille', meaning a friend of a homosexual or a homosexual person, which was eventually shortened to 'lope'.
'lopette' and its dual meaning
'lopette', a diminutive of 'lope', carried a pejorative sense when applied to men.
interestingly, in the late 19th century, it acquired a familiar and friendly tone within certain intimate male circles. however, its use by outsiders, particularly women, was discouraged. in both french and spanish, 'lopette' (or its variants) came to signify a close female friendship or, more negatively, a gossip or blabbermouth, perpetuating stereotypical associations with femininity.
'mignon' and the court of henry iii
the term 'mignon', meaning "cute" or "adorable" when referring to boys, has a historical context tied to the french court.
during the reign of henry iii, 'mignons' were favored young men who enjoyed privileges, including dressing similarly to the king and even sharing his bed. this association with effeminacy and perceived homosexuality led to mockery from the bourgeoisie and common people, who were accustomed to a more traditionally masculine image of monarchy.
religious factions, particularly the calvinists and the catholic league, further cemented this association by campaigning against the perceived decadence and sin of the court, linking 'mignons' with homosexuality and effeminacy.
'moumoune' and its derogatory usage
'moumoune' is a derogatory term that can be translated as "pussy," "sissy," or "wimp." while its more common use emerged later, it has also been employed in slang dictionaries to refer to inexperienced young thugs.
its feminine form, 'nistonne', is used for young prostitutes and also for young bottom homosexuals.
'papaout' and 'empapaouter'
appearing in early 20th-century parisian slang, 'papaout' and the verb 'papaouter' were synonyms for "pederast" and the practice of pederasty, respectively.
the term 'empapaouter' evolved to mean sodomizing or "fucking someone's ass." one popular explanation for its origin relates to the expression "va te faire voir chez les Papous!" (go get yourself fucked by the Papuans!), a crude way to dismiss someone. another theory links it to the older verbs 'empaouter' and 'empapaouter', used ambiguously to mean "to annoy" or "to get dirty." this connection highlights the social perception of anal intercourse as unpleasant and "dirty." the term 'papote', meaning porridge or mush in old french, may also be related, suggesting a connection to getting "dirty" or "muddy."
'pédéraste' and misassociations
in some cultures, male homosexuality is erroneously linked with pedophilia.
in france, this misassociation leads to "pédéraste" being used as an insult towards gay people. this is often done to justify discrimination and attacks against the gay community by framing it as child protection.
it's important to note that the vast majority of pederasts are heterosexual men who sexually assault girls.
'salai' and the proust connection
the term 'salai' is mentioned as a word found in the works of marcel proust. historically, 'salai' was a painter, a disciple of leonardo da vinci, and also his model.
rumors suggest he was da vinci's lover. this association imbues the term with a historical context related to artistic circles and potential same-sex relationships.
'tafiole' and its origins
'tafiole' can be translated as "sissy" or "faggot." its origins are not entirely clear, but it is thought to have emerged in the late 20th century.
it may be related to the term 'taf', meaning "fear," thus conveying a meaning of "cowardly gay person." another plausible origin is the old expression 'ratapiole' from central france, which could have transformed into 'tapiole' and subsequently 'tafiole'.
this connects it to a group of insults for gay men derived from negative male characteristics attributed to them.
'tante' and its derogatory use
'tante', meaning "aunt" in the sense of a family bond, is used as a derogatory term for homosexual men. this mirrors the usage of "aunt" in english and "onee" (older sister) in japanese, both of which can carry similar negative connotations when applied to gay men.
'tapette' and its multifaceted meanings
'tapette' is a word that has endured through time, referring to adult, bottom homosexuals from the mid-19th century to the present day, and is frequently used as an insult.
it also has meanings such as "fly swatter," "mousetrap," and "slap." popularly, it has been used for women as a synonym for "chatterbox" or "gossip." etymologically, 'tapette' derives from the verb 'taper', meaning "to hit" or "to penetrate/plug." this connection to inserting or plugging has led to sexual connotations and associations with prostitution.
"se faire taper" means "to get fucked," and "taper quelqu'un" means "to fuck him." thus, 'tapette' could logically refer to a bottom homosexual, the one who "gets fucked."
'tapin' and its continued usage
'tapin' appeared around the same period as 'tapette', also referencing homosexual men, particularly young ones, involved in prostitution.
its usage persists today, referring to both homosexual men in general and prostitutes (male or female). it is also used in popular slang as a synonym for "work."
'tarlouze' and its quebecois roots
'tarlouze' translates directly to "sissy" or "faggot." this term originates from quebec and is used not only for adult homosexual men but also for cowardly or weak individuals.
etymologically, it is believed to stem from 'tarla' (idiot, useless), which itself might come from 'tarlais', a term for the thirteenth pig in a litter, symbolizing weakness and uselessness.
'terre jaune' and its symbolic meaning
translated as "yellow soil," 'terre jaune' is used in expressions like "amateurs de terre jaune" (lovers of yellow soil) as a synonym for a top homosexual man or someone practicing anal intercourse.
the color yellow is consistently linked with feces, and mustard yellow, in particular, is associated with anal sex.
'truqueur' and its criminal connotations
the word 'truqueur' literally means "cheater." from the late 19th century until the 1970s, it was synonymous with male prostitute and homosexual man, though it is more strongly associated with prostitution, trickery, and crime.
'uraniste' and its etymological origin
'uraniste' is an english translation of the german term 'urninge', coined by karl heinrich ulrichs in the mid-19th century, predating the medical term "homosexual." this term represented a significant step in understanding sexual and gender diversity, moving away from the idea that men attracted to other men were inherently feminine.
the etymological origin lies in greek mythology, specifically plato's concept of two forms of aphrodite: urania (celestial love) and pandemos (physical love). 'uraniste' signifies an attraction to celestial love, often interpreted as a more intellectual or spiritual connection between men.
'virer sa cuti' and its metaphorical evolution
while not a direct slang term for homosexual men, "virer sa cuti" means "to change one's skin" or "to change political opinion." in a specific context, it refers to "becoming homosexual." this expression shares similarities with the spanish "cambiar de acera" (change sidewalks) and italian "saltare il fosso" (jump the moat), both implying a significant decision or coming out.
the french phrase's origin is linked to the tuberculosis vaccination obligation in the 1950s. the resulting skin reaction, a noticeable change in appearance, was called "virer sa cuti." this metaphorically extended to radical shifts in political ideas and, subsequently, to men changing their sexual orientation from heterosexual to homosexual.
'yag' and self-identification
'yag' is a neologism within french lgbt jargon, referring to men who are attracted to other men but do not identify as homosexual or wish to be associated with the broader lgbt community.
they may consider themselves "heterosexuals who only have sex with men." this term highlights a nuanced approach to self-identity within the spectrum of sexuality.
'zamel' and its derogatory nature
of moroccan origin, 'zamel' is used in maghrebi and french slang exclusively to refer to bottom homosexual men.
it carries a derogatory, humiliating, and vexatious connotation, losing any euphemistic meaning and becoming a direct insult.
'zèbre' and historical associations
'zèbre', meaning "zebra," has been used since the late 19th century to describe a "low-life, suspicious person." this association with the animal's striped fur relates to an older tradition linking striped clothing with prostitutes, jews, executioners, and adulterers.
the term's popularization may also be influenced by the arabic and french slang term 'zeb' or 'zob', meaning "penis."
contributing to linguistic understanding
the project aims to document and preserve this rich linguistic tapestry. contributions of new words and expressions are encouraged, whether through email or by sharing the project on social media.
understanding these words provides insights into cultural history and the evolution of language surrounding sexual diversity.
related linguistic resources
this exploration is part of a larger effort to create comprehensive dictionaries and glossaries related to lgbtq+ terminology.
resources include a gay dictionary with over 10,000 words from 68 languages, a lesbian dictionary with terms from 27 languages, and an lgbt glossary defining key concepts like sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. collections of lesbian slang and humorous lgbtq+ designs further contribute to this understanding and celebration of diversity.
examples of related terms and variations
the provided text lists numerous related terms, synonyms, and variations, such as:
- synonym: agent, actif
- related: rivettes
- synonyms: androfilie, androgamie
- variation: bathylle
- related: blondin, blondinet
- related: bique et bouc, bique
- related: naphtaline, gazoline
- variations: fiofiotte, hoLeBi, honteux
- variation: lesbien
- variation: tapiole
- variations: tantouze, tata
these examples showcase the extensive and often interconnected nature of slang and terminology within the lgbtq+ community and beyond.