Where does the gay term "camp" originate?

[lemonpillow]

Hi! And do you guys hate that term? Thanks and have a good Monday,if such a thing is possible. Lol. X Sarah

 

[Oscar Wilde]

Camp derives from the French slang term se camper, meaning “to pose in an exaggerated fashion”.

The OED gives 1909 as the first print citation of camp as "ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical; effeminate or homosexual; pertaining to, characteristic of, homosexuals.

So as a noun, ‘camp’ behaviour, mannerisms, et cetera. (cf. quot. 1909); a man exhibiting such behaviour". Per the Oxford English Dictionary, this sense is "etymologically obscure".

 

[Char Char]

I know the man who created it - Thomas Downs (Downsy as he is reffered to!) He made it up and uses it often to talk about his own sexuality!

I'm not a guy and I'm not gay either! Just because you wanna get off with me!

 

[Hey.]

No, I don't hate it.

I'm not camp so it doesn't really affect me.

 

[Sarah]

I hate that term but I have no idea how or where it originated.

 

[Downsy]

shut it char char!!!! ... who's picture is of a mans body .... yehh you are way more camp than me so shut up!!!!!

by the way char is a guy and he is very gay!!!