10 must-know Gayle phrases on Beaulah Season 1

To quote American drag performer Todrick Hall, “Girl, what did that girl just say, girl?” 

Showmax Original reality series Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap is out there expanding our vocabularies every Thursday, as Cape Town’s queens bicker, laugh, fight and have a grand old time. Between the English, Afrikaans, and the Cape vernacular (like berk for boyfriend, or gahzie for the guy who closes the taxi door), you’ll hear Gayle scattered about like sequins on a dressing room floor. It’s South Africa’s home-grown slang, created by and for our queer community back in the days when being gay and even cross-dressing were illegal. The show’s title, Beeaulah, comes from the Gayle word for beautiful.

With that in mind, we’re sharing 10 Gayle terms from the first five episodes of Beaulah Season 1. Come join the fun! 

Stream Beaulah Season 1 on Showmax now. New episodes Thursdays.

Patsy: a party [Episode 1 3:59]

This can apply to a party or celebration, or to a person. As Manila says of both himself and his drag persona, “She’s a scream. She’s always a patsy, always talking.” When it comes to throwing a patsy, queen Manila can pull off a miracle in two days. 

Dora: a drink [Episode 1. 10:40]

You can’t have a patsy, or even a pageant, without a dora. In the words of Beaulah’s premier supplier of social lubricant, Kat: “Hou die dora koud” (keep the drinks cold). Manila adds, “My favourite thing about Kat when we’re doing a show together, is when she takes out a bottle like this and puts it on the table (and says) ‘Poura die dora, sis, poura die dora.’”. A drink is a dora. Too many drinks, though, and you’re doreen. 

Nancy: emphatically no Episode 1. 29:05]

This is a blink-and-you-miss-it word that comes up casually throughout the series. When Manila, Kat and Ina are discussing whether to invite Madison to Kat’s birthday party, Manila mentions that they’re not as close to Madison as they used to be, and Kat quips “Nancy,” meaning no. After episode 5 he might say it a lot louder!

Calla: check it out, watch [Episode 2. 21:18]

Maxine talks about watching Emogan perform and reveals that she turned to her friends and said, “Calla, meisie is in haar element, hoor.” (Look, that girl is in her element). Maxine slips the word in in a number of episodes, so calla. 

Linda: lies [Episode 3. 3:07-3:18]

When Kat confronts Maxine about a rumour that Maxine accused him of lying, Kat says, “You said to Ina, ‘Meisie, Kat linda. Kat’s lying’”. Oooh la la. Throughout the series people get accused of telling lindas left and right. Linda goes with stella (stealing) and all kinds of other riggey, even the dreaded rigga morris.

Bag: boyfriend [Episode 3 09:06-09:09]

BB explains that she wasn’t at Manila’s show for “personal reasons: ek was met ’n bag” (I was with a boy). Bag is short for handbag – an essential accessory for any lady on a night out. 

Bunny: male prostitute [Episode 3. 12:33]

While playing around on the phone, Emogan tells Jayde Kay to say goodbye, since he wants to talk to Maxine alone. Jayde claps back, “Tsek, you bunny,” jokingly calling Emogan a male prostitute (tsek, of course, being short for voetsek). Shades of Mean Girls’ “Boo, you whore.”

Ashes: nothing. Dust. [Episode 4. 02:40 & 02:50-02:56]

With Emogan being a judge at the upcoming Miss Sovereign Western Cape Pageant, Ina quips, “I’m vaal about Emogan being a judge. Vaal is when you just cannot be bothered, girl. And if you really can’t be bothered, you’re asvaal. Ash. Ashes.” Vaal is Ina’s spin on the classic Gayle term, ashes. If it’s giving ashes, it’s giving dust.

Clarence: Over it [Episode 5. 14:25]

How is seasoned pageant queen Kat feeling before the Miss Sovereign Pageant? His judges haven’t even arrived yet, so let him tell you, “My nellies is clarence. Nellies are nerves, and clarence means finished.” Kat is on the ropes. 

Winnie Madikizela/Mandela: winner [Episode 5. 45:33]

“Winnie Madikizela!” Ina proclaims, proudly popping his pageant crown on his head. He’s the winner. In episode 3, while Maxine and BB are discussing wigs for a pageant, Maxine also asks BB, “If you’re going to Winnie Mandela, where will we put the crown?” Both refer to the late ANC politician’s habit of wearing high-stacked headdresses. 

That’s all for now. Time to mince, to Mina Moo, or to mienki. And for all the drag fans out there who want to learn more Gayle, keep watching Beaulah or ask your local queen for help. And don’t forget to tip.

Stream Beaulah Season 1 on Showmax now. New episodes Thursdays.

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dIb818-gYQ

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