Beat
/beet/
To apply makeup flawlessly. A "beat face" means perfectly done makeup.
“Her face is BEAT for the gods tonight!”
Makeup
Body-ody-ody
/bah-dee-oh-dee-oh-dee/
Celebrating an amazing body and the confidence to show it off.
“She walked out in that gown — body-ody-ody!”
Compliment
Boots
/bootz/
Used to emphasize an adjective, similar to "to the max" or "the house down."
“She is gorgeous boots!”
Compliment
Butch Queen
/butch kween/
A masculine-presenting gay man, especially in ballroom culture.
“He's serving butch queen realness on the runway.”
Community
Camp
/kamp/
An aesthetic style that is deliberately exaggerated, theatrical, and ironic.
“That outfit is pure camp — she's wearing a chandelier as a hat!”
Performance
Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve & Talent
/C.U.N.T./
The four qualities RuPaul says every drag superstar needs. Often abbreviated.
“She's got C.U.N.T. for days, darling.”
RPDR
Clocked
/klokd/
To be identified or called out, especially when trying to pass or hide something.
“I thought my tuck was good but she clocked me immediately.”
Shade
Contour
/kon-TOOR/
Makeup technique using light and dark shades to reshape facial features and create dimension.
“Her contour could cut glass — those cheekbones are sculpted!”
Makeup
Cottaging
/KOT-ij-ing/
Archaic British slang for seeking anonymous encounters in public restrooms.
“That's a very old-school reference, darling.”
Community
Cover Girl
/kuh-ver gurl/
Looking so polished you could be on a magazine cover.
“Cover girl! Put the bass in your walk!”
RPDR
Cut a Rug
/kut a rug/
To dance energetically and skillfully.
“She really cut a rug during that lip sync!”
Performance
Death Drop
/deth drop/
A dramatic dance move where a performer falls backward into a split while one leg kicks up. Also called a "dip" in ballroom.
“She hit that death drop and the crowd SCREAMED.”
Performance
Dusted
/dust-ed/
Refers to a heavy application of translucent powder to set makeup, or being outperformed.
“She dusted her face and she's looking right. Also: She dusted the competition.”
Makeup
Eleganza
/el-eh-GAHN-zah/
Elegance with extra flair. A dramatic, over-the-top sophistication.
“Eleganza extravaganza on the runway tonight!”
RPDR
Extravaganza
/ex-trav-ah-GAN-zah/
An elaborate, spectacular show or event with over-the-top performances.
“Welcome to the Drag Extravaganza, darlings!”
Performance
Face
/fays/
Having a gorgeous, well-done face of makeup. Also: serving face.
“She is giving FACE in every photo.”
Makeup
Fierce
/feers/
Bold, confident, and stunning. The ultimate drag compliment.
“That look is absolutely fierce!”
Compliment
Fish / Fishy
/fish / fish-ee/
A drag queen who looks convincingly feminine or "passes" as a cisgender woman.
“She is serving fish tonight — I can't tell!”
Compliment
Gagging
/GAG-ing/
To be so shocked or amazed that you can barely breathe. Similar to "shook."
“When she came out in that reveal, I was GAGGING!”
Compliment
Geish
/geesh/
Short for geisha; refers to an extremely polished, beautiful look.
“She's giving full geish with that kimono number.”
Compliment
Glow Up
/gloh up/
A dramatic transformation or improvement in appearance.
“Look at her glow up from season 1 to now!”
Compliment
Gurl
/gurl/
A term of endearment or address used in the drag/queer community, regardless of gender.
“Gurl, you are NOT going out looking like that.”
Community
Haus / House
/hows/
A chosen family of drag artists who perform and create together, originating from ballroom culture.
“She belongs to the Haus of Edwards.”
Community
Hunty
/HUN-tee/
A combination of "honey" and a rude word. A term of endearment with a bit of edge.
“Listen hunty, that wig is not it.”
Community
I'm That Bitch
/ahm that bitch/
A declaration of supreme confidence. Used after slaying a performance or look.
“She walked that runway like — I'm. That. Bitch.”
Compliment
Kai Kai
/ky ky/
When two drag queens hook up or are romantically involved.
“Those two are totally kai kai-ing backstage.”
Community
Kiki
/kee-kee/
A casual gathering of friends for laughing, chatting, and having a good time.
“We're having a kiki in the dressing room before the show.”
Community
Lipsync for Your Life
/lip-sink for yor lyf/
The RPDR elimination challenge where bottom two queens must lipsync to stay in the competition.
“She turned that lipsync for your life INTO a moment!”
RPDR
Living
/LIV-ing/
Being so delighted or entertained by something that you can barely contain yourself.
“I am LIVING for that sequin bodysuit!”
Compliment
Look Queen
/luk kween/
A drag performer known primarily for stunning visual looks and fashion.
“She's a total look queen — every outfit is a shoot.”
Performance
Mug
/mug/
A face or the art of face makeup application.
“Her mug is always flawless — never a hair out of place.”
Makeup
No Tea, No Shade
/no tee no shayd/
Saying something honestly without meaning to be rude. Softening a blunt statement.
“No tea no shade, but that wig needs help.”
Shade
Okuurrr
/oh-KURR/
An exclamation of approval or agreement, popularized by Laganja Estranja and Cardi B.
“She walked out and we were all like OKUURRR!”
Compliment
Opulence
/AH-pyoo-lence/
Luxurious, lavish excess. Living your most glamorous life.
“Opulence — you own EVERYTHING!”
RPDR
Pageant Queen
/PAJ-ent kween/
A drag performer who competes in formal pageants with polished looks, gowns, and talent.
“She's old school pageant queen — the gown, the walk, the crown.”
Performance
Paint
/paynt/
To apply stage/drag makeup. "Painting" is the act of doing your full drag face.
“I need three hours to paint before the show.”
Makeup
Purse First
/pers ferst/
Bob the Drag Queen's iconic entrance, walking in with purse extended. Now means entering confidently.
“She walked in purse first and owned the room.”
RPDR
Read
/reed/
To point out someone's flaws or weaknesses with wit and humor. A skillful insult.
“The library is open! She read her to filth.”
Shade
Realness
/REEL-ness/
The ability to embody a look or persona so convincingly it appears effortlessly authentic.
“She's giving executive realness on that runway.”
Performance
Ru Girl
/roo gurl/
A drag queen who has appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race.
“She's a Ru Girl from season 12.”
RPDR
Sashay Away
/sa-SHAY ah-WAY/
RuPaul's elimination phrase — the losing queen must leave the competition.
“I'm sorry my dear, but you must sashay away.”
RPDR
Serving
/SER-ving/
Presenting or delivering a specific look, attitude, or vibe flawlessly.
“She is serving body, face, and attitude ALL at once.”
Compliment
Shade
/shayd/
A subtle, clever insult or disrespect. Can be playful or cutting.
“I don't tell you you're ugly, but I don't have to tell you you're pretty. That's shade.”
Shade
Shantay, You Stay
/shan-TAY yoo stay/
RuPaul's phrase for the queen who wins the lipsync and stays in the competition.
“Shantay, you stay! You've earned your spot.”
RPDR
Sickening
/SIK-en-ing/
So amazing it makes you sick. The highest compliment in drag.
“That reveal was absolutely SICKENING!”
Compliment
Sissy That Walk
/SIS-ee that wawk/
To walk with confidence, attitude, and fierce femininity. A RuPaul anthem.
“Get up, sissy that walk!”
RPDR
Slay
/slay/
To dominate, kill it, or perform at the highest level.
“She SLAYED that lipsync — there was no competition.”
Compliment
Snatch Game
/snatch gaym/
RPDR's celebrity impersonation challenge based on the Match Game format.
“Her Snatch Game as Cher was legendary.”
RPDR
Snatched
/snachd/
Looking so good that your look is "snatched" — tight, polished, perfect. Also: stealing attention.
“That corset has her waist SNATCHED, honey.”
Compliment
Spill the Tea
/spil the tee/
To share gossip or reveal the truth about something.
“Spill the tea, sis — what happened backstage?”
Community
Stoning
/STOHN-ing/
The process of gluing rhinestones, crystals, or gems onto a garment or prop.
“I spent twelve hours stoning this corset by hand.”
Performance
The House Down
/the hows down/
An intensifier meaning "to the extreme" or "completely."
“She is serving looks the house down boots!”
Compliment
The Library Is Open
/the LY-brair-ee iz OH-pen/
An announcement that reading (witty insults) is about to begin.
“Ding dong! The library is OPEN!”
RPDR
Toot and Boot
/toot and boot/
Toot = a compliment for a good look. Boot = rejection of a bad look. From Fashion Photo Ruview.
“That look? Toot. But that wig? BOOT.”
RPDR
Trade
/trayd/
An attractive, typically masculine-presenting man. Also: looking hot out of drag.
“He is total trade out of drag — swoon!”
Community
Tuck
/tuk/
The technique of hiding male genitalia to create a smooth, feminine silhouette.
“Her tuck is immaculate — seamless in that bodysuit.”
Performance
Turn the Party
/tern the PAR-tee/
To put on an amazing performance that gets everyone excited.
“She turned the party with that lip sync!”
Performance
Werk
/werk/
An exclamation of encouragement or approval. Do your thing!
“Werk it, queen! Show them what you've got!”
Compliment
Wig
/wig/
An exclamation meaning you're so shook that your wig flew off. Also: literal hairpiece.
“When she did that split? WIG!”
Compliment
Yaas / Yas Queen
/YAHS kween/
An enthusiastic exclamation of approval, support, and encouragement.
“YAAS QUEEN, you look AMAZING!”
Compliment