What is the origin of the word "dike" ("dyke"?) referring to a lesbian?

Answer 1

The origin of the term is obscure, and many theories have been proposed.[2][3] The first printed references come from 1920s novels connected with the Harlem Renaissance and suggest that the term was originally bulldiker, with dyke being a shortened form.[2] For example, in the 1928 novel, "Home to Harlem", Claude McKay wrote:"[Lesbians are] what we calls bulldyker in Harlem. ... I don't understan' ... a bulldyking woman." From the context of the novel, the word was considered crude and pejorative at the time.

There are several theories of the origin of "bulldyker". One is that it arose as an abbreviation of "morphadike", a dialect variant of "hermaphrodite", a common term for homosexuals in the early twentieth century. This in turn may be related the late nineteenth century use of "dyke" (meaning "ditch") as slang for the vulva. [1] "Bull" is also a common expression for "masculine" or "aggressive" (as in "bullish"), so bulldyke may have implied "masculine woman". According to another theory, bulldyker was a term used for bulls whose purpose it was to impregnate cows. Just as the word "stud" was first used for such a purpose and was later used for men who used it to brag about themselves or for others in reference to a man who was successful with women, the terms "bulldyker" and "bulldagger" were also taken from their original context and used for the same purpose. A man who was a great lover or successful with women was called a "bulldyker." "Bulldyking woman" and "bulldyker" became terms for women who looked like a "bulldyker", a male stud, and were assumed to perform the role, as well.[citation needed]

In Another Mother Tongue, Judy Grahn proposed that the word bulldyke might have arisen from the name of the Celtic queen Boadicea, but this theory is implausible.[3][1]

Answer 2

I asked this question to a lesbian couple who are friends of mine. They told me it is Dutch. That is came from the little girl who stuck her finger in a leak in the berm that held the ocean back from taking over the land, and saved a nation who later grew up to become a lesbian.

I actually believed them for a week before they came clean and told me they were kidding, after I went around and told others the story. I can't believe I was so gullible.

Answer 3

i myself prefer to be observed as gay. The notice lesbian on no account fairly appealed to me nicely. It jogs my memory of a few thing a reptile could be observed as... Like lizard or some thing, haha. I dont be conscious of! i admire 'gay', and that's all. (:

Answer 4

That little boy that stuck his finger in a hole in the dyke. Dykes like it when you stick fingers in their holes...well if you're a chick anyway.

Answer 5

Not sure, but I do admit I HATE this term!!

Answer 6

I'm not sure what it means but i do think it means lesbian.Try checking the dictionary.