friend of dorothy
LowInformal, Slang, Potentially Archaic/Historical
Definition
Meaning
a gay man or, more broadly, a member of the LGBTQ+ community
The term originates from coded language and has been reclaimed as a positive, often humorous identifier. It can also refer to an ally who is accepting and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically used as a discreet way for gay men to identify each other, referencing the character Dorothy Gale from 'The Wizard of Oz', a film with a strong gay cult following. Its use has declined with greater openness but persists in certain contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase originated in and is most associated with American English, but is understood in British English due to global LGBTQ+ culture. It may be perceived as slightly more dated in the UK.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same core connotation. It often implies a sense of shared cultural history, camp sensibility, and insider knowledge.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary mainstream discourse in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in historical contexts, within older LGBTQ+ communities, or in discussions of queer history and slang.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to be] a friend of DorothyHe's a friend of Dorothy.Are you a friend of Dorothy?Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Over the rainbow”
- “Not in Kansas anymore (related thematic concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Highly inappropriate and unprofessional in almost all contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or cultural studies papers on LGBTQ+ history and linguistics.
Everyday
Rare. Could be used humorously or affectionately within aware social circles, but risks being misunderstood.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- It was a way to friend-of-Dorothy each other in safer times.
American English
- Back in the day, they had a whole system to friend-of-Dorothy discreetly.
adverb
British English
- He dressed rather friend-of-Dorothy for the occasion.
American English
- She sang the Judy Garland number very friend-of-Dorothy.
adjective
British English
- He had a very friend-of-Dorothy sense of humour.
American English
- The bar had a distinctly friend-of-Dorothy vibe.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He said he was a friend of Dorothy, and I finally understood.
- The phrase 'friend of Dorothy' was a discreet code used before gay liberation.
- Scholars note that the 'friend of Dorothy' euphemism leveraged the gay community's identification with Judy Garland's outsider persona.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the yellow brick road leading to the Emerald City as a metaphor for finding one's true, colourful identity away from a black-and-white world.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTITY IS A JOURNEY / COMMUNITY IS A SECRET SOCIETY
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation "друг Дороти" will be nonsensical and not carry the coded meaning.
- May confuse with the literal meaning of 'friend'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Assuming all listeners will understand the reference.
- Using it to describe a woman (it is historically male-coded).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cultural reference for the term 'friend of Dorothy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, the term specifically referred to gay men. In contemporary usage, it is sometimes broadened to include LGBTQ+ women, especially those who identify with the associated camp culture, but this is not the original meaning.
It is not generally considered offensive within the LGBTQ+ community and is often used affectionately or humorously. However, using it as an outsider or in a reductive way could be insensitive. Its use has declined as more open language has become possible.
Judy Garland, who played Dorothy, became a major gay icon. Themes in 'The Wizard of Oz'—being different, longing for a place 'over the rainbow', self-discovery—resonated deeply with the closeted gay experience of the era.
It is used less frequently as society has become more open. However, it persists as a historical reference, an in-joke, a term of endearment among older generations, and in contexts like certain LGBTQ+ cruises or events that playfully reference the past.