The Gay Lexicon

So, as someone rather new to all this. I was hoping all you people that are experianced could offer some insight. I know there are scene specific slang for gay's

like Bear being a hairy big guy (or otter being a slighter but similarly hirsute person)
Beard meaning a person of the opposite sex posing as the significant other to make a gay person look straight.
or Fruit Fly means a girl who hangs out with gays

but what are some other, essential terms that I should know? Any words that tripped you up when you first came out, and led to embarrassment (especially ones of a sexual nature)? Thanks!

Originally Posted by semajbn4

So, as someone rather new to all this. I was hoping all you people that are experianced could offer some insight. I know there are scene specific slang for gay's

like Bear being a hairy big guy (or otter being a slighter but similarly hirsute person)
Beard meaning a person of the opposite sex posing as the significant other to make a gay person look straight.
or Fruit Fly means a girl who hangs out with gays

but what are some other, essential terms that I should know? Any words that tripped you up when you first came out, and led to embarrassment (especially ones of a sexual nature)? Thanks!

Well, I think the word that most confused me (when I first came out) was "Trick". I mean, it came as something of a shock that someone I thought I was making love with, considered me just a one night stand. A casual trick. Then to add to the sadness and confusion, I eventually learned that a trick (in the str8 world) was someone you had sex with for cold cash: Only I never made a cent. What a crazy world! I wish you a less confusing time during your own journey. Remember this: the heart is what matters most.

--QP

There is a gay slang dictionary out there.Look for it online. I myself was curious at one point so I did some research.

Gay slang is really what it is at your place. I have discovered that being 'versatile' in the Bay Area was really mostly a euphemism for being a bottom. In some European countries, being versatile means that you flip-flop with your partner and that reciprocation is expected...

Besides all the gay dictionaries around, there is universal agreement on relatively very few words. The rest is always strongly locally colored. Thus, you want to live and learn

KD