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Effeminate vs Nancyboy - What's the difference?

effeminate | nancyboy |

As an adjective effeminate

is (often|derogatory|of a man or boy) having behaviour or mannerisms considered unmasculine or typical of a woman or girl; feminine.

As a verb effeminate

is (archaic) to make womanly; to unman.

As a noun nancyboy is

(slang|derogatory) an effeminate or homosexual man.

effeminate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (often, derogatory, of a man or boy) Having behaviour or mannerisms considered unmasculine or typical of a woman or girl; feminine.
  • * Bishop Hurd
    • An effeminate and unmanly foppery.
  • (obsolete) womanly; tender
  • * Shakespeare
    • Gentle, kind, effeminate remorse.

    Synonyms

    * camp * swish

    Verb

    (effeminat)
  • (archaic) To make womanly; to unman.
  • * , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.134:
    • the studie of sciences doth more weaken and effeminate mens minds, than corroborate and adapt them to warre.
  • * John Locke
    • It will not corrupt or effeminate children's minds.

    Related terms

    * effeminacy ----

    nancyboy

    English

    Alternative forms

    * nancy boy * nancy-boy * nancy

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (slang, derogatory) An effeminate or homosexual man.
  • * 2003 , Alan Grayson, Mile End , Ragged Sky Press (2003), ISBN 158961092X, page 84:
    • With Mum out of earshot, he continued: "I don't believe you did six girls. I think you're a liar. I think you're either a virgin or a nancyboy ."
  • * 2009 , Andrew Chapman, Pagan , ISBN 9781449537876, page 303:
    • This was Marcus, this effeminate, mincing nancyboy , picking his way fastidiously across the grass?
  • * 2009 , Peter S. Fischer, The Blood of Tyrants , The Grove Point Press (2009), ISBN 9780615324555, page 60:
    • Always having to look over your shoulder for some prissy little nancyboy from the ACLU trying to get you bounced from the force.