In 2009, the TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” made its debut with a very limited budget and only a one-season network deal. Now, more than a decade later, it has become a global phenomenon with TV ratings that are through the roof, a live-performing show in Vagas, and several spin-offs and international iterations set for production in the coming years.

Despite the popularity of the world of drag performers, many of us are still quite clueless when it comes to most of the terms and phrases used by the community. Although most of these terminologies have since become pop culture references, some of us really need to go back to school as far as the world of drag queens and their terminology is concerned.

unsplash/Rochelle Brown. More than a decade after it first aired, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has become a global phenomenon

Hog Body

This is quite an unflattering term and is used to describe someone’s body style. To describe a queen that has a body that lacks feminine qualities or curves, one can refer to them as a hog body.

If someone has a manly body or is not ‘cinched,’ this term can be used to describe their body style, likening it to a hog.

Cheesecake

In stark contrast to the above-mentioned term, cheesecake is used to describe a particularly curvy queen. To refer to a big girl who is serving up a lot of cake and ‘bringing it,’ the term cheesecake is quite appropriate.

pixabay/kylewhadley. The term booger of hog body is used to refer to someone who is manly or visually unattractive

Booger

Similar to the term hog body, booger is also a term that throws shade at the person who is on the receiving end. This term is used to describe a visually unattractive person whose choice of wardrobe, hair, or makeup is sloppy.

Peanut Butter

This particular term gained popularity after the release of RuPaul's famous song “Peanut Butter.” Since then, this lyrical reference is used to refer to a girl who spreads her thighs—like peanut butter.

pixabay/lauramba. In the drag community, it’s a tradition for daughters to take up their drag mother’s last name

Drag Mother

Like a mentor who takes his pupils under his wings to teach them the ropes of a particular business or skill, drag mother is a term reserved for a drag performer who is very experienced. For those who are eager to learn the art of performing, the drag mother takes them under her wings and together, they form a drag family. It is also a tradition in these drag families for the daughter to take up their drag mother’s last name as an homage.