Signaling

[cjsmith]

This morning I was thinking we need a way to signal straight.

Let's say I'm wanting to flirt with a chick. Let's say I don't know whether she's straight or not, and she doesn't know whether I am either. And it's way too early in this tentative teeny tiny flirtation here for the soul-searing horror of having to BRING IT UP IN CONVERSATION. That might let her know what I'm thinkin', see, and that's scary.

So I can signal not-straight. I can wear rainbow stuff, or triangles (how outdated!), or a number of other things. Some have the added advantage that few non-queer-friendly folk get the message. It's like a secret code. And with every single one of 'em I can deny that I made a point of sending the message at all. Oh, no, I always wear my Michfest T-shirt on odd-numbered Tuesdays.

If I'm in luck, and she's not only not-straight but might be interested, my hypothetical cute gal can signal back. But she doesn't have any code she can send back, subtly, without loss of face on either side, to say she's straight. She can oh-so-casually mention a current or previous boyfriend, but that's awkward -- it commits the sin of bringing the subject closer to ACTUAL CONVERSATION, which as noted before is verboten this early in the game. Plus it does not successfully signal not-bi.

I suggest pinstripes.

Comments

[palecur.livejournal.com]

I believe 'tapping' is originally derived from the slapping of the partner's pert, lovely ass while engaged in soi-disant 'doggy style' intercourse.

or they could mean 'baby, I want to tap you like Chevron wants to tap the reserves in ANWR' -- that is, bringing sadly neglected and badly needed resources into the marketplace (in this case, a marketplace of one).

A 'tap' is also a device for creating screw threads in pipes -- the 'screw' connection makes it a great reverse-etymology pick, but I consider it highly unlikely as a real source.

Ultimately my guesses for 'tap' stem from the ass-slapping above and also as an informal 'counting coup' -- tapping to signify you've 'scored.'

See also: "I'd hit it," which implies no actual hitting but merely a desire to engage in activity of a sexual nature.

[vito-excalibur.livejournal.com]

A 'tap' is also a device for creating screw threads in pipes

Aah, that's great! I don't care if it's inaccurate, that's what I'm claiming it means from now on.