Polari

[ puh-lahr-ee, paw- ]

noun
  1. a distinctive English argot in use since at least the 18th century among groups of theatrical and circus performers and in certain gay and lesbian communities, derived largely from Italian, directly or through Lingua Franca.

Origin of Polari

1
First recorded in 1845–50; ultimately from Italian parlare “to speak, talk”; see parle
  • Also par·la·ry [puh-lahr-ee, par-], /pəˈlɑr i, par-/, par·lya·ree [puhl-yahr-ee, pahrl-] /pəlˈyɑr i, pɑrl-/ .

Words Nearby Polari

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British Dictionary definitions for Polari

Polari

Parlyaree (pɑːˈljɑːrɪ)

/ (pəˈlɑːrɪ) /


noun
  1. an English slang that is derived from the Lingua Franca of Mediterranean ports; brought to England by sailors from the 16th century onwards. A few words survive, esp in male homosexual slang

Origin of Polari

1
C19: from Italian parlare to speak

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012