General
otter
What does otter mean?
A slim or wiry gay man who's still got the body hair. Same fur as a bear, smaller frame. He'd be a bear if he bulked up, but the lean build earns him his own slot in the menagerie.
"Not quite a bear — more of an otter, all beard and no belly."
Origin
Part of the bear-community animal taxonomy that took shape in 1990s–2000s gay culture, slotting in alongside bears and cubs.
Frequently asked questions
What does "otter" mean?
It's a lean, hairy gay man — slimmer than a bear but just as furry.
How do you use "otter" in a sentence?
"He's more of an otter than a bear — hairy but slim."
Is "otter" offensive?
No, it's a self-descriptive term within gay culture, part of the same family as "bear" and "cub."
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