What does downe mean? Also, what is a bear and cub? The difference between a butch and a dyke, or is there a difference?
2006-07-21 15:33:29 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Confused is the right word.
2006-07-21 15:35:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people will use dyke to describe any lesbian, while others (most I think) will use dyke to mean the same as butch...that is a more masculine acting and appearing lesbian.
downe? I'm not sure. Down-low means secretive. Guys who play with guys on the down-low (original phrase came out of the African American community) have a heterosexual life and only play with men behind closed doors, discreetly.
The definition of a Bear varies regionally. In general they are big hairy men. In some parts of the country they can be either big or hairy, but in other parts they have to be both. A cub is usually his younger smaller playmate. An otter by the way (much less-used term) is a smooth guy who chases bears.
Anything else you'd like to know, please ask. It is nice to be able to answer sincere and polite questions for a change.
2006-07-21 16:10:21 · answer #2 · answered by michael941260 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm GUESSING down refers to "down low". People who live a straight life, and often identify as straight, but still have sex with other men. Bears = more...masculine men. Often hairy, often large (not always overweight, but...sometimes). It kind of rose as a reaction to the trendy, superthin club community that had this unrealistic standard of beauty that not everyone really even found attractive. Some people wanted just "normal" or average looking men. Voila. Cubs are younger bears. I'm a male, so...I THINK that butch and dyke are often synonymous, but I think that dyke can be more generic to any lesbians whereas butch definitely means a more masculine lesbian. (The gender words used above refer to societal gender expectations only; "masculine" refers to those traits that our society has deemed associated with the male; it does not necessarily reflect on the gender identiy of the individual to whom it applies, although it could).
2006-07-25 01:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bears are big hairy men and Cubs are those that adore them. Butch and Dyke are terms for Lesbians. I am not so certain about 'Downe' but the explanations given seem valid.
2006-07-21 21:21:48 · answer #4 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Butch and Dyke he the same - a tuff or emasculate Lesbian
Bear is a heavy hairy guy-who rarely uses deodorant
Cub is a younger guy on his way to become a bear and tends to be attracted to the Bear guys-but there are Mama Bears too -just heavy and earthy lumberjack types who rarely bathe n dont use deodorant either
Downe is equal to being on the DL where you have sex with the same sex but keep it hidden and maintain a hetero relationship.
2006-07-21 17:47:08 · answer #5 · answered by Wheels 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From www.urbandictionary.com :
Downe
Derived from the definition of "downlow" which was taken from the African-American Community. Brought in by the Filipino/Asian-American Male & Female LGBT community. Reinvented into the word "DownE" with a capital "E" expressed during the hype of the raving/exstacy scene which began to popularize in the early 90's. Giving those who are on the "downlow" a more open environment (i.e. E-parties.) Those using the term "DownE" also used it to seperate themselves from society's stereotype of a Gay Asian Male, as well as Gay Asian Female. As a means of communication. The internet played a major role in the growth in popularity for the word "Downe." With websites such as Downelink.com, the definition of "downe" is constantly changing. A good thing or a bad thing, take it as you will. From my opinion, the definition can't be found on any dictionary. Define it for yourself. Whether it be just another term for being Gay, Lesbian, Etc. or make it mean more to you than just a label.
Do you remember the downe scene back in 96? Now thats taking it way back to it's roots.
Now with Dyke, it is my understanding that is just a slur turned into a way to identify yourself as being lesbian. Butch means that they are "masculine" in the way that they act. I.e. plaid shirts and chainsaws.
Now "bear and cub", you got me there. I am guessing it means a dominant and subordinate partner in a relationship. Urban Dictionary had nothing for that.
NOTE: Don't turn this into a homophobic soap box. There are gay people in the world, deal with it or lock yourself in the basement until "the Rapture".
2006-07-21 15:44:28 · answer #6 · answered by Dick Nixon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a bear is a generally older man who is large and hairy...a cub is someone who finds this attractive...butch and dyke i don't know except butch has more masculine connotations to me ...downe I have no idea what that means...I am a gay male.
2006-07-21 15:45:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Butch and Dyke are the same. They want to play the man's role. They don't want to look feminine. As for the other questions, I don't know.
2006-07-21 15:38:59 · answer #8 · answered by sumrtanman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also have been confused by all the different terms, lingo, and labels. I don't really like labels anyway. But I found a site called "Wikipedia" that has a seach for terms and stuff that can find gay lingo. You can try there for any other lingo questions.
Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipstick_lesbian
2006-07-22 04:03:51 · answer #9 · answered by MindStorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋