Glitterbomb’s Guide to Drag Slang!

So, you’ve just been to your first drag show and don’t have a clue what anyone was talking about? Well, we’re here to help! Drag slang is a fascinating world of language and culture created by a variety of drag artists including kings and queens alike, in order to communicate with other LGBTQ+ people. The language first established and used by black queer people has slowly become adopted and is frequently used in mainstream media and everyday conversations. We have collated a comprehensive guide to drag slang to get you ready to hit the clubs!

DRAG – may seem obvious but many people don’t know that the term DRAG dates back to the era of William Shakespeare and was used to mean “Dressed resembling a Girl” when men would often play female roles in theatre. Come through Shakespeare!

 

BEAT – Makeup that has been applied to perfection – for example, her face has been beat to the Gods. Meaning, her makeup looks amazing!!

 

READING – to insult someone in a clever way by more than simply coming for their appearance, this term comes from the iconic film Paris Is Burning!

 

BUSTED – when a drag queen looks visually bad.

 

BOOGER – A bad drag queen, typically because their makeup or fashion choices are questionable.

 

CAMPY – a traditional drag queen who does not try to present as ultra-feminine but usually dresses as a larger-than-life character with creative costuming – such as a pantomime dame.

 

C.U.N.T – infamously created by RuPaul, the term stands for Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. These characteristics are what it takes to win the iconic reality show, RuPaul’s Drag Race.

 

DRAG MOTHER – an experienced drag queen that teaches an amateur or baby queen their ways, similarly to a mentor.

 

DUSTED – The opposite to Busted, where a queen looks stunning, or the equivalent of being “on fleek”.

 

 

GARAGE DOORS – the eyelids of a drag queen that only paints using one colour for their lid, crease and brow bone.

 

HUNTY – A blend of the words: honey and C*nt, used as a term of endearment.

 

TEA – the gossip, honey. What’s the tea? May be used to ask someone what is going on.

If you have any more words, you think should be added to our Drag Dictionary, let us know! Which are your favourites?