General
polari
What does polari mean?
As a verb, 'to polari' means to talk or to speak the cant.
"Nanti polari in front of strangers."
Origin
From Italian 'parlare' (to speak) via Parlyaree; Polari flourished in 20th-century Britain among gay and theatrical communities and is the subject of Paul Baker's definitive study 'Fabulosa! The Story of Polari' (2019).
Frequently asked questions
What is Polari?
A secret cant used by British gay men, actors, sailors and fairground folk in the 20th century, mixing Italian, Romani, Yiddish and slang.
Where does the name Polari come from?
From the Italian verb 'parlare', to speak, via the older showmen's lingo Parlyaree.
Why did Polari exist?
Homosexuality was criminalised in Britain until 1967, so Polari let gay men communicate, flirt and warn each other safely.
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