drag king

[ drag king ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a performer, typically one who was assigned female at birth, whose act involves a stylized and exaggerated interpretation of masculinity that plays with stereotypical gender themes.

drag king

noun

1. a female who dresses as a man and impersonates male characteristics for public entertainment
2. slang.
   a female transvestite

Word History and Origins

Origin of drag king¹

First recorded in 1970–75; by analogy with drag queen ( def )

Example Sentences

“Dale!” drag king Mauro Cuchi shouts into the mic.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Qommittee stands as a kind of a central hub for other communities across the country, the performance communities across the country, to find resources to help them, whether it is negotiating with venues or … helping defend against the many protests against drag shows that we’ve seen,” said Qommittee President B Williams, a drag king who performs in Washington, D.C., as Blaq Dinamyte.

From Seattle Times

Birmingham drag king Don One, who also performs around the country including the Two Brewers, agrees that venues need to "step up security" to make sure everyone in the community "feels safe".

From BBC

“Being in L.A., a major city, we do have a lot of privilege as drag performers,” said Twinka Masala, a Punjabi drag king who moved to L.A. from the Central Coast last year.

From Los Angeles Times

Filipino American drag king Skirt Cocaine said they have witnessed blackface and non-Black performers using the N-word in lip-sync performances.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drag artist