VERBAL FOLKLORE

Vernacular

The folk group that makes up the drag scene utilizes a unique linguistic vernacular that can be found in the LGBTQ+ community at large. This is a speech style that has borrowed heavily from AAVE (African American Vernacular English) for many decades, in part due to the intertwined history of Drag with the POC-predominant Ballroom Scene of the 1980's and 1990's.

Some vernacular one might hear at a drag show includes the exclamation of terms such as "Work!" "Slay!" or simply "Yas!". These are positive phrases that encourage the performer. They are interchangeable as exclamations for the most part and roughly mean. "Yes! You got it! Go you!"

Hand signs or gestures such as waving an index finger, snapping a finger, or repeatedly tapping the middle and index finger to the thumb are all physical ways of expressing enjoyment or agreement during the show.

There are abundant words and phrases with meanings bespoke to the drag scene, queer community, ballroom scene, or some combination of the three. Phrases such as "Slay the house down boots" might sound like nonsense to an outsider, but evoke a strong response to those who hear it and are in the know.

Another common term one may come across when around drag scenes is the acronym CUNT, made popular by television drag personality RuPaul. It stands for "Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, Talent" To "Serve CUNT" or to appear "CUNTy" is a very positive aspect among drag performers.