“FOD” is a term used to describe someone who identifies as gay or queer, originating in the mid-20th century as a discreet euphemism. The term may have been named after gay rights ally Dorothy Parker or Judy Garland’s character in The Wizard of Oz. It is still used today as a code word for homosexuality, especially on cruise ships. Some allies may also use the term.
A friend of Dorothy or FOD is someone who identifies as gay or queer; the term can encompass a range of people in the queer community, from transsexuals to asexuals. This euphemism became commonplace in the gay community in the mid-20th century, when people needed to be discreet about their sexual orientation. While the gay community is increasingly “out” today, the term endures, especially to describe people locked away in the queer community.
There are several theories about the origin of this term. The most likely reason is that it was named after Dorothy Parker (1893-1967), a famous gay rights ally and icon who inspired a variety of slang terms within the queer community. Parker’s witty and cutting writing was often littered with euphemisms that were later adopted by the gay community, making it easy for people to identify without explicitly stating their orientation. People have described themselves as friends with Dorothy since the 1930s, lending credence to this theory.
Others connect the term to Judy Garland, who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Garland herself was quite an icon in the gay community and the character of Dorothy is often noted for her acceptance of diversity and differences. Also, a rather effeminate character in the film, the Cowardly Lion, identifies himself as a “friend of Dorothy,” although he was obviously referring to her character, not her sexual orientation.
The use of this phrase as a code word for homosexuality exploded in the 1940s, along with terms such as Mary, Nelly and Mrs. King to describe people in the queer community. Widespread awareness of the term’s hidden meaning did not emerge until the 1980s, when the gay community became much more prominent in many societies, and the term is still sometimes used as a euphemism; on cruise ships, for example, a gay-friendly meeting might be identified as a “Friends of Dorothy’s meeting” or a “FOD meeting.”
Some people who consider themselves queer allies may also call themselves friends of Dorothy, even if they don’t identify as queer. Of course, for people who are actually named Dorothy, the double entender involved in describing themselves as FOD must be extremely frustrating.
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