and is it a derogatory term?( if so I mean no offense) any info..History , root language, etc.
Thanks IA
2007-03-18 05:13:12 · 15 answers · asked by .G. 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
The origin of the term is obscure, and many theories have been proposed. 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. 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.
2007-03-18 05:20:14 · answer #1 · answered by calmflow_21 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dyke comes from Dike, which was the Greek goddess of moral justice.
I don't know the reason why lesbians were called this, and whether it was meant to be used positively or negatively.
If you are curious...
C unt was at first not derogatory either. She was the goddess of all gods. Men turned it into a negative term during the Inquisition. She stood for knowledge, insight, remembrance, and wisdom. She represented birth, life, and death.
Also, Hag once meant "very intelligent woman."
Society gave good words bad meanings over time!
2007-03-18 15:26:40 · answer #2 · answered by toxicPoison 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The word Dike is a derogatory term. It does not refer to all gay women, because what it means is a very masculine lesbian. I hope this helps. Sorry, I don't know much else... history, derivatory language, etc.
2007-03-18 12:21:06 · answer #3 · answered by emerald.eyes 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just think it shouldn't be a derogatory term. If a gay woman acts like a man (dyke) there should be a word to describe her. Like butch, masculine. Just like if a woman was a hoe or whore It just describe the person and tells you she likes to act like a man and likes to eat & poke beaver that is all. So nothing wrong with that if she GAY and wants EVERYBODY TO KNOW IT!!!
2014-08-01 21:09:49 · answer #4 · answered by Timmy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I abhor the term dyke and will not have anything to do with it., it is a derogatory term meaning someone is very masculine and possibly aggressive. Don't really know where it came from, but it's horrid.
2007-03-18 12:27:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
dike, is a 19th century word that describes male clothing. When it was used in reference to a woman, it was meant to be derogatory about her: she had a masculine appearance, or behavior.
2007-03-18 12:52:40 · answer #6 · answered by stormzsecret 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there are many theories as to the origin of the term "dyke" (not "dike"). but, yes, it IS a derogatory term.
2007-03-18 14:33:30 · answer #7 · answered by redcatt63 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, it's spelled dykes. It's a slur many people use to describe lesbians. It all boils down to ignorance.
2007-03-18 22:40:28 · answer #8 · answered by S.F. Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the word dikes is extreamly disrespectful and I wouldnt repeat it in public..it is derogitory to female lesbians
2007-03-18 14:28:13 · answer #9 · answered by KarmicFacilitator2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are called dykes because of prejudice and ignorance.
2007-03-18 13:35:17 · answer #10 · answered by Alias400 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋