Dyke is a pejorative term used primarily used against lesbian and other sapphic women. The term has been reclaimed by some individuals within the queer community.[1] It is also used by some non-binary individuals, and some trans men or transmasculine individuals.[2] Some may use the term to describe every aspect of their identity.[3]
Due to its history, it is best to not use the term for someone else unless they have expressed that they are okay with it.[4]
Etymology
It isn't entirely clear where the term "dyke" came from. One theory is that it originates from the term "bull dyke," which was used to mean "fake penis." Other speculations include originated from the slang "dike," meaning a sharply-dressed man, coming from "dike" referring to a ditch and slang for the vulva, taken from the term hermaphrodite or morphodite, or that it has roots in Celtic Queen Boudica.[5]
History
The term started being used in a derogatory fashion in the 1920s. It was commonly used against masculine lesbian women. In the 1960s, the term started being worn as a badge of political and social activism, including the formation of a lesbian-specific pride parade called Dyke Marches.[6]
The reason for the term being used derogatorily isn't quite understood.[5]
Flags & Symbols
The dyke flag was designed by Tumblr user plantbutch on February 21, 2020. The black represents power, strength and freedom, along with representing black sapphic individuals, the purple represents the history of the term as a slur and turning it into a positive identifier. The magenta represents loving women. The pink represents inner peace and the acceptance of trans women. The white labrys represents power, justice and the intolerance of bigotry.[7]
Another dyke flag was created by Tumblr user r00. This flag is used by those whose entire identity, both orientation and gender, can be described simply as "dyke."[8]
Community
Controversy
There is some debates on whether or not non-lesbians can reclaim the slur, including whether or not bi women can.[6]
Subterms
| Label | Description | Coiner |
|---|---|---|
| Bulldyke | A term for queer black women who reclaim the term "dyke." | Unknown[4] |
Related Terms
| Label | Relationship | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Faggot | Counterpart | A derogatory term primarily used against gay men. |
| Tranny | Counterpart | A derogatory term primarily used against transgender individuals. |
Sources
- ↑ Brabaw, Kasandra. “Why We Call Ourselves Queers, Dykes, Fags, & Homos.” Www.refinery29.com, 15 Nov. 2017, www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/11/177829/anti-lgbt-slurs-reclaiming-words.
- ↑ clc53693. “Reddit - the Heart of the Internet.” Reddit.com, 2023, www.reddit.com/r/actuallesbians/comments/15tkp7z/who_gets_to_say_the_word_dyke/. Accessed 27 July 2025.
- ↑ Thomas, Lee. “My Slur Reclamation Is Not Your Neutralization.” Whitman Wire, 2023, whitmanwire.com/magazine-2/2023/05/04/my-slur-reclamation-is-not-your-neutralization/. Accessed 27 July 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Nolasco, Meagon. “To Dyke or Not to Dyke: Reclamation of LGBTQ Slang - Prism & Pen - Medium.” Medium, Prism & Pen, 9 Feb. 2022, medium.com/prismnpen/to-dyke-or-not-to-dyke-reclamation-of-lgbtq-slang-3419e5e5f69f.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Staff, Gayety. “Is “Dyke” a Slur? Issues in Reclaiming the Derogatory Term.” Gayety, 18 May 2022, gayety.com/is-dyke-a-slur-issues-in-reclaiming-the-derogatory-term. Accessed 27 July 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Staff, Gayety. “Is “Dyke” a Slur? Issues in Reclaiming the Derogatory Term.” Gayety, 18 May 2022, gayety.com/is-dyke-a-slur-issues-in-reclaiming-the-derogatory-term. Accessed 27 July 2025.
- ↑ plantbutch. “Dyke Flag.” Tumblr, 21 Feb. 2020, disastergay.tumblr.com/post/190949261356/plantbutch-dyke-flag-so-it-was-brought-to.
- ↑ radiomogai. “The Dyke Flag for When You’re Whole Sexuality and Gender Identity Can Just Be Summed up as Just “Dyke.”” Tumblr, 9 Nov. 2023, radiomogai.tumblr.com/post/733499954414370816/r00-the-dyke-flag-for-when-youre-whole. Accessed 27 July 2025.