A new dictionary about Philippine gay and slang words is out now

Boogsh ka diyan, teh!

In case that sentence has you confused, perhaps Vibal Publishing Group's newly released "Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary” is for you.

A guide to the colorful, powerful, and even historical words used today, "Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary" delves "into the endlessly inventive counter language of Filipino gay and street communities," going through the syntax and semiotics of words to fully understand their meanings.

The book also includes each term’s etymology, usage notes, and example sentences, as well as academic discussions on the study of slang and gay language, an extensive glossary, and colorful illustrations.

The publisher explains counter language “is a dialectical form of language that is constructed in opposition to another, more formal, or ‘official’ language.” Understanding this counter language also brings to light the norms and culture of a certain group, in this case the LGBT+ community.

The dictionary comes with a disclaimer for its usage of explicit and sexual language that may offend some readers. But the writers said, “we will not apologize for using these words in order to widen the vocabulary of our readers so that they will not be confused, have to guess, or look stupid when they go out into the streets and interact with different social groups such as young people, sosyal (affluent), jologs (uncool), beki (gays), and iskwakwa (squatters).”

The foreword is by writer John Iremil Teodoro, a pioneer of Philippine gay literature and a Carlos Palanca winner.
 
The contributors of “Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary” are author and Palanca awardee Christopher dela Cruz, veteran columnist of Philippine Online Chronicles Lady S, language expert Ojo Gonzales, and drag queen Randiva Datinguinoo.

“Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary” is available for P610 on the Vibal online shop or by calling +63285807400.

— Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News