Dyke: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March 2018.jpg|thumb|A photo of the 2018 Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March. A [[genderfluid]] flag is visible behind the main banner.]] | [[File:Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March 2018.jpg|thumb|A photo of the 2018 Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March. A [[genderfluid]] flag is visible behind the main banner.]] | ||
The word '''dyke''' or '''dike''' commonly refers to a [[lesbian]], particularly one with [[masculine]] or [[butch]] traits (although [[femme]]s can also be dykes<ref name="dykemarch">{{cite tweet|user=bigbadbutchh|number=1296038472982003712|title=like fr look at this dyke march|date=19 August 2020|archive-url=http://archive.is/m2mrT|archive-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>). The word is commonly considered a derogatory slur, but has been reclaimed and used positively by some lesbians.<ref>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dyke</ref><ref name="Krantz" | The word '''dyke''' or '''dike''' commonly refers to a [[lesbian]], particularly one with [[masculine]] or [[butch]] traits (although [[femme]]s can also be dykes<ref name="dykemarch">{{cite tweet|user=bigbadbutchh|number=1296038472982003712|title=like fr look at this dyke march|date=19 August 2020|archive-url=http://archive.is/m2mrT|archive-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>). The word is commonly considered a derogatory slur, but has been reclaimed and used positively by some lesbians.<ref>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dyke</ref><ref name="Krantz">{{cite journal|title=Reconsidering the Etymology of Bulldike|year=1995|last=Krantz|first=Susan E.|journal=American Speech: A Quarterly of Linguistic Usage |url=https://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1041&context=engl_facpubs}}</ref> Dyke is sometimes also used as an identity for non-lesbians, such as [[bisexual]]s.<ref name="dykemarch" /> | ||
Notable nonbinary people who call themselves dykes include poet [[Eileen Myles]] and entrepreneur [[Al Sandimirova]]. | Notable [[nonbinary]] or [[genderqueer]] people who call themselves dykes include poet [[Eileen Myles]] and entrepreneur [[Al Sandimirova]]. | ||
In the 2019 [[Gender Census]], 17 people (0.2% percent of respondents) wrote "dyke" as their identity, and one wrote "bulldyke".<ref name="Gender Census 2019">{{Cite web |title=Gender Census 2019 - the public spreadsheet |author=Cassian |date=30 March 2019 |url= https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ePCyWMdorSHAaxNcd1Iv64oLvkdgeoZldTdGZZTHlvY/edit#gid=498446722}}</ref> | In the 2019 [[Gender Census]], 17 people (0.2% percent of respondents) wrote "dyke" as their identity, and one wrote "bulldyke".<ref name="Gender Census 2019">{{Cite web |title=Gender Census 2019 - the public spreadsheet |author=Cassian |date=30 March 2019 |url= https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ePCyWMdorSHAaxNcd1Iv64oLvkdgeoZldTdGZZTHlvY/edit#gid=498446722}}</ref> |
Revision as of 21:25, 15 October 2020
The word dyke or dike commonly refers to a lesbian, particularly one with masculine or butch traits (although femmes can also be dykes[1]). The word is commonly considered a derogatory slur, but has been reclaimed and used positively by some lesbians.[2][3] Dyke is sometimes also used as an identity for non-lesbians, such as bisexuals.[1]
Notable nonbinary or genderqueer people who call themselves dykes include poet Eileen Myles and entrepreneur Al Sandimirova.
In the 2019 Gender Census, 17 people (0.2% percent of respondents) wrote "dyke" as their identity, and one wrote "bulldyke".[4]
History
The etymology of "dyke" is uncertain. Some hypotheses for its origin include:
- A shortening of hermaphrodite.[5][6]
- Boudicca (Bou-dyke-ah), a Celtic queen who organized a revolt against the Roman Empire in 67 AD.[5]
- From the slang term "get diked out" meaning "dress up".[5]
- In the 19th century, "dike" was a slang term for the vulva.[6]
- From the terms "bulldicker"/"bulldick", meaning "fake penis" or "fake man", describing the idea of "a woman with a clitoris extended enough to serve as a penis in lesbian relationships".[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 @bigbadbutchh (19 August 2020). "like fr look at this dyke march". Archived from the original on 19 August 2020 – via Twitter.
- ↑ https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dyke
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Krantz, Susan E. (1995). "Reconsidering the Etymology of Bulldike". American Speech: A Quarterly of Linguistic Usage.
- ↑ Cassian (30 March 2019). "Gender Census 2019 - the public spreadsheet".
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Belge, Kathy (14 July 2017). "What is the origin of the word "Dyke"?". LiveAbout. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "dyke (n.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 15 October 2020.