Swishes gay

Green’s Dictionary of Slang

swishn.

1. (orig. US, alsoswisher, swishy) by meton., a homosexual human [swish v.1 (2)].

W. WinchellOn Broadway 19 Jan. [synd. col.] ‘Oh,’ oh’d the chum, ‘don’t be silleh. Everyone knew Oscar [Wilde] was a swish!’.
H.A. SmithLife in a Putty Knife Factory (1948) 16: As far as I know my friends have not yet started whispering it around that I am a swish.
N. AlgrenMan with the Golden Arm 44: I seen Nifty Louie steerin’ some old swish in there.
Lait & MortimerUSA Confidential 42–3: The same rock bottom factors that are responsible for the wave of swishes accounts for the epidemic of homosexuality among the maidens, though in reverse.
Jet 26 Dec. 47: Harlem plainsclothes men detailed to patrol a 125th St. bar and grill, which is city-wide headquarters for the limp wrist arrange. When propositioned by swishers [...] cops haul them off to the nearest station house.
W. BurroughsNaked Lunch (1968) 82: I’m no dress designer swish from the costume department!
J. OsborneWorld of Paul Slickey Act I: He’s contrary, he’s a swishy.
Dundes & Schonhorn ‘Kansas University Sl.: A Brand-new Generation’ in AS XX

Throughout history, words have been used to discriminate, pigeon-hole, or otherwise keep groups of people “in their place” in society.  To that end, groups that have been the victim of vicious name-calling often reclaim insulting language as a way to self-identify and empower themselves as an individual, or as a member of a larger community.

Reclamatory language, as it is referred to, is language with pejorative connotations that people with marginalized identities use to identify themselves. Language which has been used as an insult, and which is still used as an insult today, can be reclaimed through the use of reclamatory language.  However, there are some words, like the “n”, “f”, and “c” words, for instance, that many people believe to be too far beyond reclaiming for anyone to employ in an empowering manner.

“Swish” is an example of this phenomenon; and of how a group of like-minded individuals were determined to build a positive movement to further the rights of LGBT people through reclaiming an often insulting slang word used to describe “effeminate” men.  The small group of friends has evolved into

Definitions from Wiktionary (swish)


▸ adjective:  (British, colloquial) sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.
▸ adjective:  Attractive, stylish
▸ adjective:  Effeminate.
▸ noun:  A short rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction.
▸ noun:  A hissing, sweeping movement through the air, as of an animal's tail.
▸ noun:  A sound of liquid flowing inside a container.
▸ noun:  A twig or bundle of twigs, used for administering beatings; a switch
▸ noun:  (basketball) A successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
▸ noun:  (cricket) A rapid or negligent attacking stroke by the batter.
▸ noun:  (slang) An effeminate male homosexual.
▸ noun:  (slang, uncountable) Effeminacy, effeminate or lesbian demeanor.
▸ noun:  (uncountable, Canada, prison slang) An improvised alcoholic drink made by fermenting whatever ingredients are available.
▸ verb:  To make a rustling sound while moving.

swish

swish

1. adjective Very classy, elegant, fashionable, or stylish. Primarily heard in UK. Wow, your dress is really swish!They're moving into a swish new flat next week.

2. adjective, revolting slang Effeminate; suggestive or characteristic of a stereotypical lgbtq+ male. Primarily heard in US. Some of Tom's swish mannerisms have certainly made my dad raise his eyebrows.I try not be quite so swish when I'm around certain members of my extended family.

3. noun, offensive slang A derogatory phrase for a lgbtq+ male. Primarily heard in US. He was fired for saying that he wouldn't rent the property to "a couple of swishes."

4. noun, basketball A successful shot into the basket that touches nothing but the net. The only way I can score a basket is to bank the ball off the glass. For some reason, I can never seem to receive a swish.She shot a magnificent swish from the three-point line.

swish (something) off of (someone or something)

1. To erase a piece of clothing or fabric by pulling it quite quickly, producing a hissing or rustling sound as a result. He swished the sheets off of the furniture, sending clouds of dust up into the air.The magician's assistant sw

The word is in the Wiktionary


21 short excerpts of Wiktionnary (A collaborative venture to produce a free-content dictionary.)

— English words —
  • swish adj. (Britain, colloquial) sophisticated; fashionable; smooth.
  • swish adj. Attractive, stylish.
  • swish adj. Effeminate.
  • swish n. A brief rustling, hissing or whistling sound, often made by friction.
  • swish n. A hissing, sweeping movement through the air, as of an animal’s tail.
  • swish n. A sound of liquid flowing inside a container.
  • swish n. A twig or bundle of twigs, used for administering beatings; a switch.
  • swish n. (Basketball) A prosperous basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • swish n. (Slang) An effeminate male homosexual.
  • swish n. (Slang) Effeminacy, effeminate or homosexual demeanor.
  • swish n. (Uncountable, Canada, prison slang) An improvised alcoholic slurp made by fermenting whatever ingredients…
  • swish v. To form a rustling sound while moving.
  • swish v. (Transitive) To flourish with a swishing sound.
  • swish v. (Transitive, slang, dated) To flog; to lash.
  • swish v. (Basketball) To make a successful basketball shot that does not touch the rim or backboard.
  • swish v. (Gay slang) To
    swishes gay

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