Somdomite: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Somdomite.jpg|right|frame|The infamous |
[[Image:Somdomite.jpg|right|frame|The infamous calling card bearing the word "Somdomite"]] |
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The notorious [[malapropism]] of '''somdomite''' ("[[Sodomite|sodomite]]") has echoed for over a hundred years, since [[John Sholto Douglas, 9th Marquess of |
The notorious [[malapropism]] of '''somdomite''' ("[[Sodomite|sodomite]]") has echoed for over a hundred years, since the [[John Sholto Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry|9th Marquess of Queensberry]], the furious father of [[Oscar Wilde]]'s lover, [[Lord Alfred Douglas]], left his card for Wilde at the [[Albemarle Club]], inscribed ''"For Oscar Wilde, posing as a somdomite."'' |
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Wilde sued for [[libel]], dropped the case, and was later jailed for [[gross indecency]] and ruined. |
Wilde sued for [[libel]], dropped the case, and was later jailed for [[gross indecency]] and ruined. |
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Lord Queensberry had warned Wilde to stay away from his son, but the infatuated Wilde ignored him. At the opening of Wilde's great triumph, ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'' on [[February 14]], [[1895]], Queensberry intended to denounce Wilde publicly, but he was refused a ticket. Two weeks later, he left his inscribed calling card. |
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But '''"somdomite"''' has rung in literate [[gay]] circles for over a hundred years, as the very essence of gauche [[heterosexual]] [[boor]]ishness, even in a [[marquess]]. |
But '''"somdomite"''' has rung in literate [[gay]] circles for over a hundred years, as the very essence of gauche [[heterosexual]] [[boor]]ishness, even in a [[marquess]]. |
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To confuse matters even further, although the version above is generally accepted, there is some doubt about what Queensberry wrote on the card, since his handwriting was virtually unreadable. The doorman at the Albemarle Club thought he was describing Wilde as a "ponce |
To confuse matters even further, although the version above is generally accepted, there is some doubt about what Queensberry wrote on the card, since his handwriting was virtually unreadable. The doorman at the Albemarle Club thought he was describing Wilde as a "ponce". |
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For other material concerning "sodomites", see [[Sodom]]. |
For other material concerning "sodomites", see [[Sodom]]. |
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Revision as of 14:53, 27 April 2006
The notorious malapropism of somdomite ("sodomite") has echoed for over a hundred years, since the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, the furious father of Oscar Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, left his card for Wilde at the Albemarle Club, inscribed "For Oscar Wilde, posing as a somdomite."
Wilde sued for libel, dropped the case, and was later jailed for gross indecency and ruined.
Lord Queensberry had warned Wilde to stay away from his son, but the infatuated Wilde ignored him. At the opening of Wilde's great triumph, The Importance of Being Earnest on February 14, 1895, Queensberry intended to denounce Wilde publicly, but he was refused a ticket. Two weeks later, he left his inscribed calling card.
But "somdomite" has rung in literate gay circles for over a hundred years, as the very essence of gauche heterosexual boorishness, even in a marquess.
To confuse matters even further, although the version above is generally accepted, there is some doubt about what Queensberry wrote on the card, since his handwriting was virtually unreadable. The doorman at the Albemarle Club thought he was describing Wilde as a "ponce".
For other material concerning "sodomites", see Sodom.
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