Queer (adjective / noun)
(Also heard as: Queerness, Queer community, Feeling queer, Queer as folk)
Definition:
-
The modern umbrella word used by LGBTQ+ folk who don’t fancy boxing themselves into just “gay”, “bi”, or “straight”.
-
The old-fashioned British way of saying something is weird, dodgy, or that you’re feeling a bit under the weather.
Where It Comes From: Way back when, if something was “queer” in Britain, it just meant odd—your nan’s probably still got sayings like “there’s nowt so queer as folk”. Down the line, bigots turned it into a nasty insult for gay blokes. But around the late 80s and 90s, protesters properly bit back, took the word for themselves, and turned it into something to be proud of.
How People Actually Use It: You’ll hear it constantly on a night out, down the local arts venue, or across campus from people talking about their identity without making a massive deal out of strict labels. On the flip side, don’t be surprised if your grandad says he’s “feeling a bit queer” after a dodgy prawn curry—he just means his stomach is playing up, not his love life.
Examples in the Wild:
-
“We’re checking out that new queer bookshop down the lanes this afternoon.”
Translation: We’re going to an LGBTQ+ independent bookshop in town.
-
“She doesn’t really bother with labels like bi or pan, she just calls herself queer.”
Translation: She likes a simple, open term for who she fancies.
-
“I woke up with a cracking headache and felt proper queer all morning.”
Translation: I felt sickly and run down when I got out of bed.
Similar Slang: LGBTQ+, Gay, Odd (old use), Off-colour (old use), Non-binary
Contribute To This Page