Sometimes people need to communicate in secret - whether that's to disguise some illegal activity, gossip about others, or simply to mask some colourful language or description.
Polari, while no longer secret, is one 'secret vocabulary' that emerged as ways for a number of sub-communities to communicate with each other in Britain. It was mostly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, although it is believed its origins could be even earlier than that.
Polari formed from a mix of influences - from Italian to rhyming slang to Yiddish. It was - and in some cases still is - used by groups including circus performers, sailors, criminals and members of the gay community.
A recent short film entitled 'Putting on the Dish' is shot in Polari, with the actors making heavy use of the slang during a conversation on a park bench. It's a casual chat that turns sour over the course of the film as they discuss a mutual friend who is in prison.
The film was directed by Brian Fairbairn and Karl Eccleston, and Karl is talking to Sean Moncrieff on today's show about Polari and the story behind the short. Tune in from 2.30 to hear the interview.
The film is set in London 1962, a few years before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK in 1967 (Ireland, as we know, had to wait until 1993). The 'language' was common in the London gay community at the time, and indeed helped reinforce that sense of community as well as allowing people to express themselves in public.
Following decriminalisation, Polari's use inevitably declined among the gay community, with less need for secretive discussions and many feeling it was only used for crude discussions and gossip anyway.
Even though its general use has diminished significantly over the years, some Polari words have entered the popular lexicon - words like naff, mincing and zhoosh in particular.
Cultural and academic interest in the slang has also seen it kept alive. Polari language has been used in the likes of Morrisey album titles (Bona Drag), a Will Self story, an episode of Doctor Who, numerous comedy routines, iPhone apps, and indeed Brian and Karl's short film.
You can watch that short below:
