ABSTRACT
While the previous chapter examined Polari as a language system, it is the intention of this chapter to look at situational uses of Polari in order to determine why it became known as a ‘gay language’ and what it was used to achieve. It is worth bearing in mind that, just as there were numerous versions of Polari in existence, the number of ways that it could be employed was also diverse. Not only did Polari change depending on who was speaking it, but location, audience or time period could also affect the reasons for its use. As this chapter concentrates particularly upon the varieties of Polari that were spoken in the 1950s, it is worthwhile beginning with a brief description of the conditions surrounding the legal and social situation for homosexual men and lesbians who lived in the UK at that time.
