Polariod

Polariod is a form of Polari, a language game or cant language that was used in the United Kingdom, particularly among theatre and circus performers, sailors, and travelling fairs. It is closely associated with the LGBTQ+ community, including Oscar Wilde, Noël Coward, and Quentin Crisp, who used it as a secret language to communicate without being understood by outsiders, such as Scotland Yard and the British police. Polari was also used by other groups, including market traders, costermongers, and showmen, such as Lord George Sanger and Bertram W. Mills, who performed at Circus Olympia and Blackpool Tower Circus. The language was popularized by Julian and Sandy, a comedy duo who appeared on the BBC radio show Round the Horne, created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman.

History

The origins of Polari are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the 16th century, possibly as a thieves' cant or a lingua franca used by travelling performers and sailors who visited ports such as Liverpool Docks and Bristol Harbour. It is thought to have been influenced by Italian, Romani, and Yiddish, as well as backslang and rhyming slang, which were used by cockneys and market traders in London's East End, including Brick Lane Market and Petticoat Lane Market. Polari was also used by LGBTQ+ individuals, including Alan Turing, Radclyffe Hall, and Daphne du Maurier, who frequented gay bars and clubs in London's Soho and Brighton, such as The Cave of the Golden Calf and The Windmill Theatre. The language was also used by circus performers, including Coco the Clown and Billy Smart, who performed at Bertram W. Mills Circus and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Cultural significance

Polari played an important role in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, when homosexuality was still illegal in the United Kingdom, and gay people were persecuted by the British police and Scotland Yard. It allowed individuals to communicate without being understood by outsiders, such as Lord Alfred Douglas and Oscar Wilde's prosecutor, Edward Carson. Polari was also used by theatre performers, including Noël Coward, Terence Rattigan, and Joe Orton, who worked at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and Royal Court Theatre. The language was popularized by Julian and Sandy, a comedy duo who appeared on the BBC radio show Round the Horne, created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman, and featured Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, and Betty Marsden. Polari was also used by music hall performers, including Marie Lloyd and Vesta Tilley, who performed at The Empire, Leicester Square and The London Palladium.

Vocabulary and phrases

Polari has a unique vocabulary and grammar, which is a mixture of Italian, Romani, and Yiddish words, as well as backslang and rhyming slang. Some common phrases include "bona" (good), "vada" (look), and "naff" (bad or unpleasant), which were used by LGBTQ+ individuals, including Quentin Crisp and Alan Turing, who frequented gay bars and clubs in London's Soho and Brighton. Polari also uses a system of code words and euphemisms to refer to sex and sexuality, such as "omi" (man) and "palone" (woman), which were used by theatre performers, including Noël Coward and Terence Rattigan, who worked at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and Royal Court Theatre. The language was also used by circus performers, including Coco the Clown and Billy Smart, who performed at Bertram W. Mills Circus and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Usage in media

Polari has been featured in various forms of media, including film, television, and theatre. It was popularized by Julian and Sandy, a comedy duo who appeared on the BBC radio show Round the Horne, created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman. The language has also been used in films such as Victim, starring Dirk Bogarde and Sylvia Syms, and The Leather Boys, starring Dudley Sutton and Gladys Henson. Polari has also been used in theatre productions, including Joe Orton's play Loot, which premiered at the Cambridge Arts Theatre and Royal Court Theatre, and featured Kenneth Williams and Diana Coupland. The language was also used by music hall performers, including Marie Lloyd and Vesta Tilley, who performed at The Empire, Leicester Square and The London Palladium.

Decline and revival

The use of Polari declined in the 1970s and 1980s, as homosexuality became more accepted and the need for a secret language decreased, following the Sexual Offences Act 1967 and the Stonewall riots. However, in recent years, there has been a revival of interest in Polari, particularly among LGBTQ+ individuals and language enthusiasts, including Paul O'Grady and Rupert Everett, who have used the language in their stand-up comedy routines and films. The language has also been featured in various forms of media, including documentaries and podcasts, such as The Polari Bible and The LGBTQ+ History Podcast, which explore the history and cultural significance of Polari, and feature interviews with LGBTQ+ individuals, including Quentin Crisp and Alan Turing. Polari has also been used by circus performers, including Coco the Clown and Billy Smart, who performed at Bertram W. Mills Circus and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Category:Language