How and when did the word 'camp ' come to mean effeminate?
Leona, Stockwell, UK
- www.dictionary.com (a great reference resource!) gives this as the closest meaning, "Having deliberately artificial, vulgar, banal, or affectedly humorous qualities or style: played up the silliness of their roles for camp effect." - not quite meaning "effeminate". It also says of this definition, "origin unknown". I haven't checked the OED.
David Lindsay, Munich Germany
- Does it?
Alan Mills, Alne UK
- I've no idea, but for the sake of perfect irony, please, somebody, prove it's to do with the behaviour of scoutmasters of suspicious motive... that would be too ridiculous to be true.
M B Drennan, Oxford UK
- 'Camp' was first noted to mean the use of exaggerated actions or gestures in 1909 in the OED. The source claims that it comes from the French. But the dictionary notes that the etymology is obscure.
Claire Timmins, Glasgow, UK
- 'Camp' originated in the gay slang Polari (as made famous by 'Julian and Sandy' - Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick - in the 60s BBC radio programme 'Round the Horne'). Like many Polari words, its origins are obscure, but I've seen KAMP ('Known as Male Prostitute') and French 'se camper' (to posture, behave extravagantly) as possible derivations.
Richard Thompson, Allerod, Denmark
- Or for that matter, when did "gay" come to mean hom*osexual?
Michelle Groarke, Munich, Germany
- Tony Warren, in Behind Closed Doors (about a young gay lad growing up in post war Britain), has a character define camp as "to stand out against an already theatrical background". Now I don't know whether he is an expert on Polari but he knows more about it than me so I just thought I'd throw the definition into the mix!
Dawn, London UK
- 'Camp' is derived from the French 'Campagne' for countryside - (or something siliar!). Sort of sophisticated Urban population deriding those from the countryside. See Burrell, G (1996)'Pandemonium'
andrew, glasgow scotland
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of linguistic evolution and cultural nuances, let's delve into the semantic enigma surrounding the word 'camp' and its evolution to signify effeminacy.
The discussion begins with a user referencing dictionary.com, which defines 'camp' as having deliberately artificial, vulgar, banal, or affectedly humorous qualities or style. However, this definition does not explicitly capture the effeminate connotation. The user also points out that the origin of this meaning is unknown, prompting a quest for clarity.
In response, a contributor from Munich, Germany questions the validity of the effeminate association and expresses skepticism about its connection to scoutmasters' behavior. This skepticism emphasizes the need for concrete evidence and reliable sources.
The next contributor, M B Drennan from Oxford, UK, provides a historical perspective. They note that 'camp' was first noted to mean the use of exaggerated actions or gestures in 1909, citing the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) as the source. The term is claimed to have originated from French, but the etymology remains obscure. This insight offers a glimpse into the historical context of the word.
Claire Timmins from Glasgow, UK, adds another layer by linking 'camp' to gay slang Polari, popularized by the 'Round the Horne' radio program in the 60s. Polari, known for its colorful vocabulary, contributes to the word's obscure origins. Claire suggests possible derivations like 'Known as Male Prostitute' (KAMP) and the French expression 'se camper' (to posture, behave extravagantly).
From Allerod, Denmark, Richard Thompson supports the Polari connection and adds that 'camp' might have roots in French 'se camper.' The varied interpretations and linguistic connections highlight the complexity of the term's evolution.
Michelle Groarke from Munich, Germany, introduces a parallel question: when did "gay" come to mean hom*osexual? This broadens the discussion to the evolution of language in the LGBTQ+ context.
Dawn from London, UK, brings a literary perspective, citing Tony Warren's character in 'Behind Closed Doors,' who defines 'camp' as "to stand out against an already theatrical background." This definition adds a layer of sophistication to the term, suggesting a form of conspicuousness.
The final contribution comes from Glasgow, Scotland, where a user suggests that 'camp' is derived from the French 'Campagne' for countryside, reflecting a sophisticated urban population deriding those from rural areas.
In conclusion, the evolution of the word 'camp' to signify effeminacy is a semantic enigma rooted in historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts. The contributions from various sources showcase the complexity of language evolution and the challenges in pinpointing the exact origin of such terms.
