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Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain's Secret Gay Language

Name: Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain's Secret Gay Language
Price: 14.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (271 reviews)

4.6 of 5 Stars: LGBTQ+ Demographic Studies - Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain's Secret Gay Language

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Book Synopsis: A Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year“Richly evocative and entertaining.”—Guardian“An essential book for anyone who wants to Polari bona!”—Attitude“Exuberant, richly detailed. . . . A delightful read.”—Tatler

Polari is a language that was used chiefly by gay men in the first half of the twentieth century. It offered its speakers a degree of public camouflage and a means of identification. Its colorful roots are varied—from Cant to Lingua Franca to dancers’ slang—and in the mid-1960s it was thrust into the limelight by the characters Julian and Sandy, voiced by Hugh Paddick and Kenneth Williams, on the BBC radio show Round the Horne (“Oh hello Mr Horne, how bona to vada your dolly old eek!”).

Paul Baker recounts the story of Polari with skill, humor, and tenderness. He traces its historical origins and describes its linguistic nuts and bolts, explores the ways and the environments in which it was spoken, explains the reasons for its decline, and tells of its unlikely reemergence in the twenty-first century.

With a cast of drag queens and sailors, Dilly boys and macho clones, Fabulosa! is an essential document of recent history—a fascinating and fantastically readable account of this funny, filthy, and ingenious language.

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Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain's Secret Gay Language, is a fascinating journey into a hidden world. This book sheds light on the language of gay men in the twentieth century, offering a captivating glimpse into their unique culture. With its rich historical origins and colorful linguistic nuances, Polari served as a form of public camouflage and a secret means of identification. Through its pages, you'll discover the roots of Polari, from Cant to Lingua Franca to dancers' slang, and how it captured the imagination of a generation.

Beyond being an interesting historical account, Fabulosa! also captures the spirit and exuberance of the Polari language. Paul Baker, the author, skillfully weaves humor and tenderness into his storytelling, making it a delightful read for anyone who loves language and the human stories behind it. Whether you're familiar with Polari or completely new to it, this book will immerse you in its world—its vibrant drag queens, brave sailors, cheeky Dilly boys, and the macho clones who added their own twist to the language.

But Fabulosa! is more than just a history lesson; it's a testament to the resilience of a language and its community. Baker explores the decline of Polari and its unlikely reemergence in the twenty-first century. By reading this book, you're not just learning about the past, but also contributing to the preservation and celebration of an important part of LGBTQ+ history.

Don't miss out on this essential document of recent history. Visit our website and indulge in the colorful and ingenious world of Polari. Give yourself the chance to vada the dolly old eek and truly understand the language that defined a generation.

Click here to discover the captivating story of Polari and its impact on LGBTQ+ culture.

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