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Ginger

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Ginger'?

Ginger beer = queer, that is, homosexual.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Ginger'?

This is 20th century Cockney rhyming slang. It was first used as a slang term for engineer and led to the Engineering Corps of the Australian Army being called the Ginger Beers. Since around 1920 it has also, and now largely, been used as rhyming slang for queer.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Ginger

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