Gay Slang / Polari

[Skater Boy]

Ok, I'm still getting used to some of the language used in "The Community", and was wondering if anyone can recommend some good sources (books, websites, etc) that explain it some more. So far I know the basics, and have found a great book called: "Fantabulosa: A Dictionary Of Polari & Gay Slang":

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fantabulosa-Dictionary-Polari-Gay-Slang/dp/0826473431/ref=sr_1_2/026-3790460-4622834?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181064209&sr=8-2

Is Polari still in use, or was that just in the old days? I know some of the other words are still used, but it would seem that others aren't. Also, there seems to be ANOTHER type of slang that is used a lot in the media relating to sexuality... not quite the same as regular gay slang, but borrowing aspects of it, and probably aspects from elsewhere...

I'm talking about "swimming with sharks", "with the lights out its less dangerous", etc, etc, etc... although you guys are probably like: "huh?"... If so, never mind... I'll just go take one of my tablets, hehe! ;)

[DiamondDog]

Some people here in the US use slang but it's not a big thing, and it's rather obvious what it means.

I've never heard of Polari and nobody I know uses it and in the US it's not like we have rhyming slang or anything like that like you guys in the UK do.

[Skater Boy]

Thanks DD, perhaps Polari is more used in the older generation... I just know it emerged during the "prohibition times" when homosexuality was ILLEGAL. But much of the slang used in the Gay/Bi community derives from it apparently.