Dyke

Dyke is a reclaimed slur, usually used against and reclaimed by lesbians, m-spec sapphic women, and trans men.

Alternate Names

 * Dike
 * Bulldyke

Etymology
The origin of dyke is unknown, however there are possible theories on where it originated:


 * A shortened version of the slur "hermaphrodite."
 * Boudicca (Bou-dyke-ah), a Celtic queen who organized a revolt against the Roman Empire in 67 AD.
 * The slang term "get diked out" meaning "dress up".
 * In the 19th century, "dike" was a slang term for the vulva.
 * From the terms "bulldicker" or "bulldick", meaning "fake penis" or "fake man", describing the idea of "a woman with a clitoris extended enough to serve as a penis in lesbian relationships" (which is intersexist - as well as transphobic - towards those with clitoromegaly.)

Definitions

 * A slang term, used as a noun meaning lesbian and as an adjective describing things associated with lesbianism. It originated as a homophobic and misogynistic slur for a masculine, butch, or androgynous girl or woman. Pejorative use of the word still exists, but the term dyke has been reappropriated by many lesbians to imply assertiveness and toughness. - Wikipedia

Queer people tend to reclaim terms that are used against them, and Lesbians (among other people who had the term used against them) use the term for empowerment- either as a gender (Dykegender) or simply a form of Lesbian (alongside Butch, Stag, etc.)

History
Historically used against people who are seen as women who are perceived as unavailable to men.

Perceptions and Discrimination
Many people, including TERFS or Lesbian Exclusionists, are upset with reclaiming slurs because they don't understand why someone would use a term someone else used against them.

Subsets

 * Dykegender
 * Boydyke
 * Fagdyke
 * Dykegenderfag
 * Tryke