The wit of shipboard Queens

[Jim Brady]

Can anybody tell me why we called queers fruit,I can understand queer but fruit no.thats the only word we used years ago hence he is Beirut.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Gulliver]

An anecdote:

In 1956, an article in the Daily Mirror by veteran columnist Cassandra (William Connor)[ mentioned that Liberace was "…the summit of sex—the pinnacle of masculine, feminine, and neuter. Everything that he, she, and it can ever want… a deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit-flavoured, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love", a description which did everything it could to imply he was homosexual without actually saying so.


Liberace sent back a telegram that read: "What you said hurt me very much. I cried all the way to the bank."





Fond memories of the Dart container ships-and those 'ladies' Dolores and Spangles- (something to do with 5 fruity flavours I think).
Sad because they ,along with many of their ilk had all just lost their beloved berths on their passenger ship 'homes' of quite a few years.Those two came from the Andes,scrapped in 1971,and then were dispersed by the Southampton Pool to the remnants of the dying British Merchant Navy,to serve on container ships ,bulkers etc;with their non-existent social life,a far cry from the glittering life they would have known on 'those'fabulous liners,dear'.

Every mealtime though for we hairy assed relatively unsophisticated cadets at our corner table was a veritable theatrical pantomime of flourishes and winks-but dare to make a derogatory comment that was overheard and you were liable to get a ladleful of Brown Windsor on your doeskin- clothed lap.("Oops,so sorry darling,the ship rolled a bit"-- actual sea-state at that time being millpond(ish).

Forty-five years ago now - ,wonder what became of them-must be sashaying around in that great Glory Hole in the sky no doubt!

Here's one for them-the pink part of the MN. Pink Jack.gif

[Jim Brady]

I remember Spangles on the Empress Of Britain,Tourist waiter.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Can anybody tell me why we called queers fruit,I can understand queer but fruit no.thats the only word we used years ago hence he is Beirut.
Regards.
Jim.B.

Fruit as gay slang or slur is amongst the lexicon of the cant slang Polari used in the gay subculture in Britain, which has become more mainstream with transcontinental travel and online communication. There is still debate about how Polari originated but its origins can be traced back to at least the 19th century. In Polari, fruit means queen. K

[john walker]

Can anybody tell me why we called queers fruit,I can understand queer but fruit no.thats the only word we used years ago hence he is Beirut.
Regards.
Jim.B.

I think that comes from the rather old fashioned and rather polite term for someone who is homosexual as being 'Rather Fruity' ? which reminds me of the old shipboard joke , What do you call a drunken Queen 'Canned Fruit.

[Jim Brady]

Thanks for that Keith #91 so now I know the origin.You certainly know your Polari.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Polari (or alternatively Parlare, Parlary, Palare, Palarie, Palari; from Italian parlare, "to talk") is a form of cant slang used in Britain by actors, circus and fairground showmen, merchant navy sailors, criminals, prostitutes, and the gay subculture. There is some debate about its origins. There is a long-standing connection with Punch and Judy street puppet performers who traditionally used Polari to converse.

The secret language of polari - Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool museums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZL4rTEWU5c

[Shaun Gander]

Same vessel as the wife post. I was the Mate at the time. The Master whom I took over from was aboard on his own whilst alongside in Southampton. A rather burly guy, very pleasant and always friendly decided to go out for a drink.

He finds a local pub (I don't remember the name now) but its across the park near Dock Gate 4, settles down at the bar. Everyone seems very friendly and he enjoys a few pints, some I believe brought for him.

Well he find the need to use the head and whilst sat there realizes there is a picture of a half naked very muscular guy on the back of the door. It is only when he is done and checks the other stalls he sees they all have similar posters. Back at the bar he realizes now that there are lots of couples in - all same sex couples!

I believe he stayed for a few more pints as it was a pleasant atmosphere and now one behaved in a manner to make him feel uncomfortable.

However many years ago I was in a bar in Plymouth with the Master and Mate of a fishing boat due to bad weather.

We found a nice bar, chatted to the other drinkers, including 2 reasonably attractive looking ladies. Well the Mate seems very popular with one of them and they head off to a table and seem to be getting along very well.

About 30 minutes later the Mate jumps up and punches his new friend squarely in the jaw sending her to the floor, knocking over the table and drinks. He then storms out of the bar.

The Master suggests that maybe we should leave in case the locals realize he is with us and hold us responsible. So we hit a few more bars and a take out. When we get back on board the Mate is turned in.

Next morning at breakfast the Mate is very quiet and the Master asks him why he hit the girl last night. (It was very out of character for him to get upset over anything). It seems that things were progressing well between them and as he started to get touchy feely he felt something under 'her' skirt he wasn't expecting to find!!!!

SDG

[Keith at Tregenna]

THE MOLLY MOGS

In all the pubs in all the world singled out for praise,
It’s the Molly Mogs in Soho for all the funds they raise,
Specially for our mariners and veterans of war,
And the unsung heroes that struggled at the fore.

On the corner of Old Compton Street this pub’s a little gem
Built in seventeen hundred, her pedigree’s from then,
Plenty are the bar stools but not a lot of space,
Hearty entertainment is the highlight of the place.

Some clientele enthral with witty quips so gay,
Bonding all together in their camp and funny way,
They recognize the value of duty to the end,
Selfless with their time and energy they lend.

Famous for its drag shows and fabulous inside,
Historic and important for old London’s pride,
Performers are just marvellous, open and sincere,
Collecting for our heroes when punters come for cheer.

Raising cash for brave folk is humble and sublime,
Patrons of the Molly Mogs do it all the time,
This cultured bar is friendly to all of us out there,
Best of all a grand spot for those that really care.

Joe Earl Nov. 2009

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/p...hing-boat.html

[happy daze john in oz]

Polari came about no doubt as a way for some to communicate without others knowing what they were talking about. It may have similar origins to London ryming slang. That is believed to haver started in the 1700's in the fish market in Billingsgate. It was a way for trders to communicate without customers knowing what they were talking about.