Wicked Good Guides / Wicked Good Guide to Boston English /

Woof

Cocaine, in Charlestown.
The Burke Boys

Comments

"Woof" is gay slang used by guys to describe an attractive rugged manly guy. (i.e. You would say so and so is pretty "woof", or you could just say "woof" to the guy.) It can also mean "I dig you." etc.. It is usually used to, or when describing someone who is masculine but gay. It is the equivalent to how guys used to whistle at a woman in the 70's, but it is normally directed to another man, and the man is generally beefy and rugged.

Mike on December 22, 2003 06:32 PM.

down in the south if someone says "woof" they just think it's some idiot imitatung a dog...

Andrew on July 18, 2004 02:42 AM.

"Woof" in gay terms is the canonical gay bear sound of approbation. It's not a dog's 'woof', rather the breathy 'wuf' a bear makes when showing interest.

For those coming up to speed on Gay Subcultures 101, "Bears" (& Cubs, Muscle Bears, Daddy Bears, Polar Bears, Wolves, Otters, and other assorted furry menagerie) are the big hairy friendly lugs of the gay community. They range in size and shape but are typically identified by their Paul Bunyan attire and hirsute face.

There are Bear Clubs ("Mass Bay Bears") for Bears & fellas who are into Bears to get together to socialize. Bear Magazines, offering everything from porn ("Bear", 'American Bear", "Euro Bear", "Grizzly", etc.) to lifestyle tips ("A Bears Life"). Bear websites ("Bear411") for online congregating. Bear Events ("Out of Hibernation", "Int'l Bear Rendezvous", "Bear Trek"), and of course Bear Bars ("The Alley Bar"). There's even an annual "Mr. New England Bear" title holder.

The phrase "woof" and term "Bear" are widely recognized in the popular culture these days with references popping up everywhere from "The Simpsons" to "The New Republic". Indeed "Bear" has gone internationial with "Bear", "Orsi", "Orso" etc. groups organizing & fraternizing around the globe.

Locally resources to check out are:

The Mass Bay Bears, Eastern Massachusett's Bear Club
http://www.MassBayBears.org

The Alley Bar, a popular downtown Boston Bear bar
http://www.TheAlleyBar.com

Michael on April 13, 2006 11:49 PM.

Post a comment

NOTE: Due to those durn spammy spammers, your comment won't show up right away - an actual human-type person has to review it first. Sorry!