Polari (60s Season), BBC4, 13/06/04 - "The alternative language embraced by the gay scene in 60s Britain, which found expression in Round the Home." Not my copyright (obviously), just sharing found ephemera.
I got a coworker who's an old Cockney man, he keeps talking to me in his Cockney dialect, and we always have laugh. One day he turned up to work a bit late so I said, sarcastically, "ohh, bona to see yer dolly ol' eke at last", to which he replied "well at least its better than your dish, darlin'" I didn't know he knew polari lmao
My favourite Polari expression is ‘National handbag’ for dole money (handbag is used for money). I have an old friend who used to say ‘you’ve saved yourself a bit of handbag’ if you got a bargain.
How bona to varda Phil Starr! Phil was one of the nicest queens on the drag circuit, his act was the embodiment of the “saucy postcard”. I love it when I meet older queens and we can still use polari just to confuse people around us.
In the 60s I lived with my dad in Leicester square, I was lucky to have a dad who worked and lived in the west end of London, if anyof my direct family had something to say about me they were encouraged to speak to me, I was a teenager, so really didn't care what was said, and polari was quite widely spoken, along with backslang, and a market slang I never got my tongue around, but there was a queen called "Fluffy" he could use complete sentences.
Phil was lovely, we worked together many times, her boyfriend not so friendly tho , i went to phils funeral in brighton, still have the service brochure
We all miss Colin and Phil so much. Absolute gents who would have time for literally everyone. David is still flying the drag flag here in Brighton and he must miss his wonderful friends terribly. God bless all three of you xx
Knew Doris and Phil at the Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green. Owned in part by Jack Dobson previously of "Stallions" Soho. We were all one happy little family.once upon a time. Before being Gay was being Trendy.😢 JOx
Kandy Kandy Entirely created by males, yes, but did all the men using it live completely apart from women? I doubt that they wouldn’t share bits of Polari with female friends and family - Communication, in all its forms, is what makes us all multifaceted human beings.
@@sentienttapioca5409 Well to be fair there was very little communication between gay men and gay women then so maybe some family members or close friends would know it but only a few, even letting a close friend know you were homosexual was risky.
I left school and went to work at Harrods, then Carnaby Street, I lived woth my dad in Leicester Square, that was mid 60s, I didnt give it a second thought, I know it sounds strange but at 16 I thought the world was gay!!
What a lovely little documentary. A shame to think that the old original speakers will soon be leaving us and a whole era will be over. Funnily enough, I first encountered Polari in books about Punch and Judy. There's a famous interview with a Punch player in Mayhew's "London Poor" from about 1850 where he gives a load of words and their meanings.
This is really. Really amazing. I had no idea of this historic phenomenon... I only heard of Polari because of the DRAGON QUEST series of games; there's a creature called a Goodybag, they are sentient bags of jewels, and they talk like this. I've been wanting to learn more and understand them and then to find out it's a secret lgbt+ slang... makes me love it even more
Hi! Thanks so much for reposting this. I'm doing a project for college for linguistic anthropology and this is the best video I've found on Polari. Thanks again, this video made my doubly interested to learn more.
It's a shame it's so short. There was an earlier 30/50minute documentary that went further into detail that was shown in the late 90s... which I remember as an ex-landlord was in it: one of those that lived through the 50s and 60s and actually used the phrases in normal speech. Glad it's of use, anyway :)
Julian and Sandy always the very best section of Round the Horne. Probably apocryphal, but producer apparently called up to Director General's office when first broadcast, but said producer played it absolutely straight, and the DG couldn't find a reason to censor it without admitting he understood it 😀
When I was a kid listening to "Round The Horne" with my Dad on a Sunday, Julian and Sandy were comedy heroes! We always looked forward to that segment as it was so outrageously funny. Today, the Julian and Sandy sketches would be condemned as "homophobic" ... completely missing the point that it was ACTUALLY making an inclusive statement (in direct contravention of the law and BBC censorship policy), accepting gay culture as normal, wholesome, cheeky and funny. The very OPPOSITE of homophobic ... and thumbing the nose at the ridiculous legal restrictions that LGBT individuals suffered.
Around the Horne is still regularly broadcast on BBC radio 4 extra, including the Julian & Sandy excerpts. ...You're imagining some kind if censorship that doesn't exist.
To refer to someone as a “dirty dish” has always been a filthy and very rude thing to call someone, especially among the older members of my family, and I’ve never understood why. It was akin to spitting at someone. I remember being absolutely ropeable once and calling a couple of school bullies “a stinking pair of bloody dirty dishes” and getting a hiding from my grandfather for using foul language. Now I know why I copped it! I would get less of a belting for saying the c-word than calling someone a dirty dish 😂😂
We used it at sea,we called the arse a Brandy,because a brandy glass is quite wide but the top where you drank from was narrow.So Bona brandy on the homey, meaning, that man’s got a nice bum or bottom.
I started as a bell boy on P&O liners in 1963,Polari was spoken by the older queens,totally fascinating,especially when they performed in the “ sods opera “,I really really enjoyed there company,witty amusing,very caustic,just great fun.Today unfortunately is a bit bland without those amazing characters.oh ,I’m straight,just saying me dears.lol....🕺
Polari is a form of cant slang used in Britain by some actors, circus and fairground showmen, merchant navy sailors, criminals, prostitutes, and, and the biggest group - the gay subculture.
I am an American, and the first time I heard polari was the title of Morrissey's 1990 album "Bona Drag". In that same year he released the single "Piccadilly Palare". Lyrics: Off the rails I was and Off the rails I was happy to stay Get out of my way On the rack I was Easy meat, and a reasonably good buy A reasonably good buy The Piccadilly Palare Was just silly slang Between me and the boys in my gang "So bona to vada. oh you Your lovely eek and Your lovely riah" We plied an ancient trade Where we threw all life's Instructions away Exchanging lies and digs (my way) Cause in a belted coat Oh, I secretly knew That I hadn't a clue The Piccadilly Palare Was just silly slang Between me and the boys in my gang Exchanging Palare You wouldn't understand Good sons like you Never do. So why do you smile When you think about Earl's Court ? But you cry when you think of all The battles you've fought (and lost) ? It may all end tomorrow Or it could go on forever In which case I'm doomed It could go on forever In which case I'm doomed Bona drag...
ppotter ...please look me up on You Tube or Facebook..same name..I have so many happy memories of these times...my father Chubby Oates was a comedian / drag at times...have lots of rare footage Tommy Osborne, Mrs Shufflewick, Lee Tracey...happy happy days- interesting vid...thanks for posting XXX!!!
Help an old Yank queen out here. Didn't Quentin Crisp use this lingo in the '30's? Also, here in Boston (US), we used to use the term "Betty Badge" for the police. Lastly, am I way off by suggesting that I thought the lingo was called palaver, or is this a different word altogether? I'm wide open, darling, to learn more about your unique old way of speaking. We here had a distinctly queer lexicon in the old days, but nothing nearly as rich as Polari... which should make a complete return immediately!
not very "secret" though was it? surely if a copper (or anybody) heard two men talking polari to each other he'd know they were gay...hardly a secret shibboleth.
![[TH] 2024 PMWC x EWC Main Tournament Day 2 | PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP x ESPORTS WORLD CUP](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TgEFw285vXA/mqdefault.jpg)
I got a coworker who's an old Cockney man, he keeps talking to me in his Cockney dialect, and we always have laugh. One day he turned up to work a bit late so I said, sarcastically, "ohh, bona to see yer dolly ol' eke at last", to which he replied "well at least its better than your dish, darlin'" I didn't know he knew polari lmao
This is me when i speak italian to an italian and am like: shit did i order a milk or a... a cup of dog
My favourite Polari expression is ‘National handbag’ for dole money (handbag is used for money). I have an old friend who used to say ‘you’ve saved yourself a bit of handbag’ if you got a bargain.
Haha that’s great, I might start saying that
How bona to varda Phil Starr! Phil was one of the nicest queens on the drag circuit, his act was the embodiment of the “saucy postcard”. I love it when I meet older queens and we can still use polari just to confuse people around us.
In the 60s I lived with my dad in Leicester square, I was lucky to have a dad who worked and lived in the west end of London, if anyof my direct family had something to say about me they were encouraged to speak to me, I was a teenager, so really didn't care what was said, and polari was quite widely spoken, along with backslang, and a market slang I never got my tongue around, but there was a queen called "Fluffy" he could use complete sentences.
Latyy is house/flat isn't it. 44 year old straight woman here. How bona to vada your dolly old eek means how brilliant to see your handsome old face.
Latty is home, could be house or flat, and dolly old eke was just kenneth being camp, its bona varda your ecaf (face backwards)
Phil was lovely, we worked together many times, her boyfriend not so friendly tho , i went to phils funeral in brighton, still have the service brochure
Must be an absolute scream!
We all miss Colin and Phil so much. Absolute gents who would have time for literally everyone. David is still flying the drag flag here in Brighton and he must miss his wonderful friends terribly. God bless all three of you xx
Knew Doris and Phil at the Sebright Arms in Bethnal Green. Owned in part by Jack Dobson previously of "Stallions" Soho. We were all one happy little family.once upon a time. Before being Gay was being Trendy.😢 JOx
Julian and Sandy were Brilliant. love this humour,genius."We got a criminal practice that takes up most of our time" 🤣🤣🤣
Oh ain't you bold!
‘We were washed up on the beach...’
‘Did you drag yourself up?’...
‘No we went casual...’
@@paulklee5790 🤣🤣🤣🤣 brilliant 🤣🤣🤣🤣
i still use polari when I speak to my sister who lives in the states, went to Phils funeral, wonderful queen.
Kandy Kandy Entirely created by males, yes, but did all the men using it live completely apart from women? I doubt that they wouldn’t share bits of Polari with female friends and family - Communication, in all its forms, is what makes us all multifaceted human beings.
@@sentienttapioca5409 Well to be fair there was very little communication between gay men and gay women then so maybe some family members or close friends would know it but only a few, even letting a close friend know you were homosexual was risky.
I left school and went to work at Harrods, then Carnaby Street, I lived woth my dad in Leicester Square, that was mid 60s, I didnt give it a second thought, I know it sounds strange but at 16 I thought the world was gay!!
What a lovely little documentary. A shame to think that the old original speakers will soon be leaving us and a whole era will be over. Funnily enough, I first encountered Polari in books about Punch and Judy. There's a famous interview with a Punch player in Mayhew's "London Poor" from about 1850 where he gives a load of words and their meanings.
Today"s lot couldnt cope with thinking out a sentence when it is done for them by a machine JoJo
@@joannetailor4094ok boomer
This is really. Really amazing. I had no idea of this historic phenomenon... I only heard of Polari because of the DRAGON QUEST series of games; there's a creature called a Goodybag, they are sentient bags of jewels, and they talk like this. I've been wanting to learn more and understand them and then to find out it's a secret lgbt+ slang... makes me love it even more
I want to play dragonquest now
I remember Julian and Sandy well, I thought they were hilarious at the time and I had no idea what was going on, LOL. I was 13 in 1967.
It might be dying out but I chat polari with my closest every Sunday whilst tucking in to
Lally of Lamb 😃
Jennifer Justice is never gonna leave my vocabulary
Hi! Thanks so much for reposting this. I'm doing a project for college for linguistic anthropology and this is the best video I've found on Polari. Thanks again, this video made my doubly interested to learn more.
It's a shame it's so short. There was an earlier 30/50minute documentary that went further into detail that was shown in the late 90s... which I remember as an ex-landlord was in it: one of those that lived through the 50s and 60s and actually used the phrases in normal speech. Glad it's of use, anyway :)
How boring
Julian and Sandy always the very best section of Round the Horne. Probably apocryphal, but producer apparently called up to Director General's office when first broadcast, but said producer played it absolutely straight, and the DG couldn't find a reason to censor it without admitting he understood it 😀
I swear every gay bar has carbon copies of those 3 old queens in every corner 😂
When I was a kid listening to "Round The Horne" with my Dad on a Sunday, Julian and Sandy were comedy heroes! We always looked forward to that segment as it was so outrageously funny. Today, the Julian and Sandy sketches would be condemned as "homophobic" ... completely missing the point that it was ACTUALLY making an inclusive statement (in direct contravention of the law and BBC censorship policy), accepting gay culture as normal, wholesome, cheeky and funny. The very OPPOSITE of homophobic ... and thumbing the nose at the ridiculous legal restrictions that LGBT individuals suffered.
Absolutely.
Wow!! I never heard of Polari it sounds Italian to me. You live and you learn, know what I mean like !😅😅😂😂
Around the Horne is still regularly broadcast on BBC radio 4 extra, including the Julian & Sandy excerpts. ...You're imagining some kind if censorship that doesn't exist.
Thank you...marvellous....good to laugh in these horrid times.
That's right! Glad you enjoyed!
I remember the old queers back in the day talking like it. Funny buggers they were. Miss em.
I remember I still use words as do most of us of a certain age dear
Jenifer Justice was a Judge. Lilly was coppers. (Lilly law)
"zhuzh," as to "zhuzh something up," is apparently a polari word and quite popular.
True, and that's the first time I've seen it written down!
Oh wow, I use that word. Nice to hear it's part of a historical 'language.'
It entered regular English through queer eye tv show
To refer to someone as a “dirty dish” has always been a filthy and very rude thing to call someone, especially among the older members of my family, and I’ve never understood why. It was akin to spitting at someone. I remember being absolutely ropeable once and calling a couple of school bullies “a stinking pair of bloody dirty dishes” and getting a hiding from my grandfather for using foul language. Now I know why I copped it! I would get less of a belting for saying the c-word than calling someone a dirty dish 😂😂
We used it at sea,we called the arse a Brandy,because a brandy glass is quite wide but the top where you drank from was narrow.So Bona brandy on the homey, meaning, that man’s got a nice bum or bottom.
I started as a bell boy on P&O liners in 1963,Polari was spoken by the older queens,totally fascinating,especially when they performed in the “ sods opera “,I really really enjoyed there company,witty amusing,very caustic,just great fun.Today unfortunately is a bit bland without those amazing characters.oh ,I’m straight,just saying me dears.lol....🕺
Straight to la chambre
Omg this is so awesome, thank you x
thank u for sharing this!!
schade there's no "polari" option in google translate. that'd be bona to vada in the future.
“Ooh!!!!! In ‘e bold ??? “
Polari is a form of cant slang used in Britain by some actors, circus and fairground showmen, merchant navy sailors, criminals, prostitutes, and, and the biggest group - the gay subculture.
What a very lovely video about a very interesting topic...we need to don´t let die the polari slang
I am an American, and the first time I heard polari was the title of Morrissey's 1990 album "Bona Drag". In that same year he released the single "Piccadilly Palare". Lyrics:
Off the rails I was and
Off the rails
I was happy to stay
Get out of my way
On the rack I was
Easy meat, and a reasonably good buy
A reasonably good buy
The Piccadilly Palare
Was just silly slang
Between me and the boys in my gang
"So bona to vada. oh you
Your lovely eek and
Your lovely riah"
We plied an ancient trade
Where we threw all life's
Instructions away
Exchanging lies and digs (my way)
Cause in a belted coat
Oh, I secretly knew
That I hadn't a clue
The Piccadilly Palare
Was just silly slang
Between me and the boys in my gang
Exchanging Palare
You wouldn't understand
Good sons like you
Never do.
So why do you smile
When you think about Earl's Court ?
But you cry when you think of all
The battles you've fought (and lost) ?
It may all end tomorrow
Or it could go on forever
In which case I'm doomed
It could go on forever
In which case I'm doomed
Bona drag...
Traja dee
Really really interesting, and so funny. More people should use it
Quite a few Polari words eventually made it into popular culture. Camp, queen, cruising are all Polari words
that was so interesting, thank you!
All adults knew exactly what they were talking about.
Excellent and v informative
Some, please, don't let it die. #SavePolariEek
Wonderful, wonderful...
ppotter ...please look me up on You Tube or Facebook..same name..I have so many happy memories of these times...my father Chubby Oates was a comedian / drag at times...have lots of rare footage Tommy Osborne, Mrs Shufflewick, Lee Tracey...happy happy days- interesting vid...thanks for posting XXX!!!
Is there a book on polari?
Great videos, am not bad with the upright cottage lol . Regards mark
Help an old Yank queen out here. Didn't Quentin Crisp use this lingo in the '30's? Also, here in Boston (US), we used to use the term "Betty Badge" for the police. Lastly, am I way off by suggesting that I thought the lingo was called palaver, or is this a different word altogether? I'm wide open, darling, to learn more about your unique old way of speaking. We here had a distinctly queer lexicon in the old days, but nothing nearly as rich as Polari... which should make a complete return immediately!
Palaver is a type of empty nonsense or useless talk, so says Google. This was always polari though, and Crisps probably used it, yes.
Stereo MCS - “What’s the word” to play the clip out lol - great album “Supernatural”.
Happy days!
Love it thanks
Was this used all over Britain?
Or just London?
I don't understand how "eek" is backslang for "face" :/ where does it come from?
@@BrotherChad oh thank you so much! Makes sense now
As mad as a Clockwork Orange.
Oh how I'd love to have known these men
Sounds like Brian ralff at the beginning
Funny. Nearly every special society group has code speak. 👌🙂💜😏
Bona!!
In my school doing your dishes meant someone was about to beat the fuck out you lol
This was cool
Bona proctologist..
I am married to a Romany man and the word vada is not a Romany word.
Varda yes…but not vada
(Romany from Grandad’s side)
@@tombstoneharrystudios584 sorry, but still not a Romany word my friend
I guess by gypsies they refer to Irish travellers, not Roma people.
not very "secret" though was it? surely if a copper (or anybody) heard two men talking polari to each other he'd know they were gay...hardly a secret shibboleth.
Not too sure as homosexuality only became legal about 15 years before I was born but I'm sure the police had to find men in compromising situations.