Diving into Drag: From Newbie to Slaying the Lingo!

Hey there, fabulous friends! So, here I am, pretending like I'm the ultimate authority on all things drag, when truth be told, I'm just dipping my toes into this fabulous pool of glitter and glam. Yep, I'm a newbie, folks! But hey, every king has to start somewhere, right?

So, why the sudden interest in drag? Well, to be honest, I've been lingering on the outskirts of this fabulous community for what feels like forever, and it's about time I strut my way into the spotlight. And what better way to do that than by immersing myself in all things drag, from the lingo to the looks?

So I’ve embarked on a research montage that led to more questions and lots of answers. Yep, that's been my life lately, and it makes me so happy. Through this journey of asking questions, googling, and jotting down notes, I've unearthed some seriously fantastic gems about drag culture.

And since sharing is caring, I figured I'd spill the beans on some of the juiciest lingo I've uncovered. If you've got some drag slang up your sequined sleeve that I haven't covered, drop it like it's hot in the comments. Let's make this a collective learning experience!!

Now let's dive into the glittery universe of drag lingo:

1.     Drag Queen/King: A performer who dresses in drag, often exaggeratedly feminine (queen) or masculine (king) attire, for entertainment purposes - The royals of the drag kingdom, decked out in their finest gender-bending attire for your entertainment pleasure. If anyone knows of the term that we are using for our non-binary royalty, please let me know! (cause I’ve just been referring to NB performers as royalty)

2.     Fishy/Serving Fish: Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. This term, while commonly used, is problematic AF. Let's toss it out with last season's wigs, shall we? It’s an offensive term used to describe a drag queen who convincingly looks like a biological woman.

3.     Shade: When reading is fundamental, and throwing some well-placed shade is an art form. It’s slang for insult or criticism, often delivered in a sly or indirect manner.

4.     Read/Reading: Grab your library card, honey, 'cause we're about to serve up some literary roasts. Reading is the act of cleverly and humorously criticizing someone, often with a focus on their flaws or weaknesses.

5.     Serving (Looks, Face, etc.): When your outfit is on point, your face is beat to perfection, and you're ready to snatch some wigs, you are serving - presenting yourself in a particularly striking or impressive manner, usually regarding appearance.

6.     Gagging: When a performance leaves you shook to your very core, and all you can do is gasp in disbelief. You’re gagged if you are expressing extreme excitement or disbelief, often in response to an amazing performance or stunning look, or if you think that something is super funny – it’s a term used to say that the performance left you shocked.

7.     Tuck: When a drag performer ingeniously conceals their external reproductive organs by securely taping back the assigned male genitalia, creating a smooth and feminine silhouette.

8.     Beat: Flawlessly applied makeup, often used in the phrase "beat for the gods", your makeup is practically a work of art.

9.     Werk: The ultimate seal of approval in the drag world, and a term of encouragement or praise, often used to show appreciation for a performer's talent or style. When you're slaying the game, you better believe you're werking it.

10.  Death Drop/Dip: Because sometimes, the only way to end a performance is with a dramatic flourish and a split to remember, the performer falls backward into a split/dip/leg twist thing, often ending in a flamboyant pose… you’ll have to see it, because it’s a difficult move to describe.

11. C*nty: a term thrown around to describe something so fabulously fierce, so unapologetically present, it practically blasts into the room snapping its fingers and demanding attention like it's the headliner at Pride. We're talking about that special blend of sass, sparkle, and just a dash of "I'll slay you" attitude.

12.  Tongue Pop: A sound made by quickly sucking the tongue against the roof of the mouth, often used as a gesture of sass or attitude. When words just aren't enough, let your tongue do the talking with a sassy pop that says, "Oh no, she didn't!"

13.  Kiki: A casual gathering of friends, often involving gossip, laughter, and fun. Grab your cocktails and feather boas, it's time for a kiki!

14.  Beat Down: An intense, flawless makeup application - this makeup application is a masterpiece in the making. Perfect skin, killer contour, and eyebrows so sharp they could cut glass.

15.  Trade: A slang term for a sexual partner, often used within the drag and LGBTQ+ community. When the lights go down and the heels come off, it's time to find yourself some trade.

16.  Packer: What drag kings wear to give them a bulge in the crotch of their pants - for those drag kings who want a little extra attention between their legs.

17.  Binding: smashing breasts down to give a more masculine chest appearance. Use binding tape, duct tape, binders (like sports bras but specific for a pec appearance), etc. Say goodbye to those pesky curves and hello to a chest that says, "I'm a man, baby!"

18.  Padge: Short for pageant

19.  “Pulling the Padge”: when someone does something outside of the unspoken rules to sway things in their favor – playing dirty, bending the rules, and sabotaging your opponents.

20.  Geesh: Fancy drag - when regular drag just won't cut it, it's time to bring out the big guns. Sequins, feathers, and enough sparkle to blind a unicorn.

21.  Production: A talent number with props and dancers and stuff… lights, camera, action! Get ready for a talent number that's more extra than a drag queen's wig collection. Props, dancers, and enough glitter to cover the entire audience!

If you’ve got a subject that you are curious about please let me know, and maybe I’ll do a little research, and write a little blog. If you know of more lingo, please add it to the comments and let me know!!

I am going to be diving into the origin of some of these terms and write a blog about that, so keep a lookout.

So voilà! Just a sneak peek into the fabulous dictionary of drag lingo. It's like a rainbow explosion of words, reflecting the sheer creativity, humor, sass, and sparkle that defines the drag scene… Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive, it’s just a few examples drag language.

But hey, this journey doesn't end here! Diving deep into the glittery abyss of drag culture for this blog, I've not only learned a ton, but I've also unearthed a newfound appreciation for this dazzling world. Through the process of researching and writing this blog, I've not only gained a wealth of knowledge but also a deep admiration for the vibrant culture of drag.

Got a burning question or a topic you're dying to explore? Don't keep it to yourself! Drop it like it's hot in the comments section, and let's keep this fabulous conversation going. Maybe your suggestion will be the star of my next blog post! Also, if you've got some secret drag slang stashed away, don't hold out on us! Drop it in the comments section, and let's keep this fabulous dictionary growing. Werk it!