General
bona
What does bona mean?
Used as a greeting or affirmation, roughly 'great' or 'all right'. Often paired into set phrases, most famously 'bona to vada' (good to see).
"Bona! Sit yourself down and have a bevvy."
Origin
Polari, the gay and theatrical cant of mid-20th-century Britain; 'bona' is generally traced to Italian/Lingua Franca 'buona' (good), as documented by linguist Paul Baker in 'Fabulosa! The Story of Polari' (2019).
Frequently asked questions
What does bona mean?
It is Polari for 'good', 'fine' or 'attractive' — one of the most common words in the cant.
Where did bona come from?
Most scholars, including Paul Baker, trace it to Italian or Lingua Franca 'buona' (good), brought into English via travelling entertainers and sailors.
Is bona still used today?
It survives in heritage and revival contexts, and famously in the BBC radio characters Julian and Sandy, who helped keep Polari alive.
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