Backstage Blog

The Drag Glossary

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In case you didn’t know, Drag culture has it is own vocabulary. Here is the beginner’s guide to drag-speak. We’ve selected 20 words to get you started. What are you waiting for? Get to werk!

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1. Bar Queen

n. a drag queen who only performs in small bars. Typically used as an insult.

2. Beating Face

v. to apply the perfect amount of makeup on the face, resulting in a flawless look. The term references the motion of constantly dabbing a makeup sponge or brush against one’s face.

DSC075583. Boobie Bib

n. a false breast piece worn by drag queens to give the impression of female breasts. They are often made of flesh-tone silicon of rubber.

4. Busted

adj. a dilapidated drag queen who can’t make up or style properly, looking unkempt, unrefined, unpolished, generally poor presentation.

DSC072095. Boy Name

n. a drag queen’s given name as opposed to her stage name.

6. Butch Queen

n. a masculine-looking drag queen.

DSC071027. Cakes

n. a slang term used to describe butt cheeks.

8. Camp Queen

n. a type of traditional, over-the-top drag act, with little effort at female impersonation.

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9. Chicken Cutlets

n. a slang term used to describe padding worn by drag queens to give the illusion of having female hips and thighs.

10. Corset

n. an undergarment worn, that tightly fits around the abdomen of the queens to help create a proportioned, hour-glass figure.

DSC0743511. Diva

n. a slang term for any woman or drag queen who is self-important, demanding, temperamental, or hard to please.

12. Drag King

n. a woman who dresses as or impersonates a man for entertainment/show purposes.

DSC0760813. Drag Mother

n. an experienced drag queen who acts as a mentor and guide to a younger, up and coming, less experienced, or apprentice drag queen.

14. Fierce

adj. a term used by drag queens meaning to possess a good, intense, satisfying, powerful, or beautiful quality.

DSC0707315. Polished

adj. a term used to refer to a drag queen whose look is considered to be flawless, well executed, seasoned, and perfected.

16. Sashay

v. to strut with an elaborate roll of the shoulders and hips, from the ballet term chassé.

DSC0730417. Shade, or Throwing Shade

n. the casting of aspersions, bluntly pointing out a person’s flaws in an insulting manner.

18. Showboat

v. to impress in a self-aggrandizing manner, as a big well-lit, noisy theatrical riverboat.

DSC0757719. Tuck

v. to place the penis back between the legs.

20. Werk, or Work

v. a slang term to put in the effort necessary to impress or stun

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Catch The Legend of Georgia McBride through November 12th!