Do Americans Say This?

[David Evil Overlord]

Here in Australia, a phrase used to indicate homosexuality is that he/she "plays for the other team". A straight person tempted by someone of the same sex might say that he/she could make them "jump the fence and play for the other team".

It's not meant as an insult, just noting a sexual preference other than hetero.

I have a gay character who's had bad experiences in a small town, but now has a friend she can open up to.

The first-draft dialogue includes an accidental double entendre about playing for the other team. Trouble is, the character saying that is American, and I don't know if the phrase is used in the States, or if it means the same thing.

Help.

 

[dask]

I've never heard it but feel confident I'd understand the reference if I read it and not think it odd. Younger generations are always coming with new ways to say things. Maybe this would be one of them.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

We use the term, DEO, but in our case it's about religion (surprise, eh?) if a tiny bit of context was set, I'd make the jump okay.

 

[HareBrain]

I've heard it in the UK. (Usually as "bat for the other side", I think, amongst older public-school types. And possibly only in fiction.) As Springs says, context should makes its meaning clear -- and even if it isn't common parlance in the US, there's no reason a USian wouldn't come up with it themselves.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

It's fairly common. But it's not limited to "plays" for the other team. Any variation is acceptable. The favorites are bats, pitches, plays, and catches. Careful with catches however as it has a specific meaning for gay men, that they're a bottom. The others usually imply being a top or generally indicate being gay without implying specific preferences.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Okay, thanks everyone. I think it's gonna work...

 

[hopewrites]

It was used in my middle school. Along with lots of other "cryptic" phrases. Trying to remember some.

The internet was just reaching us and it was becoming cool to use other versions of English Slang as a cypher. So it could have been a fresh import.

Its a small town, so I know small town mentality and how it can prey on the mind. My first two boyfriends were gay, and I think they dated me before coming out of the closet (shortened to just "coming out at our school by 1995) because we were good enough friends that I wouldnt take it personal, when it all came out. And because I was a pretty giving girlfriend, lavish enough love on a soul and it starts to heal.
I remember when the second broke up with me. He had to tell me he was leaving me because he'd been seeing my x on the side and cringed like I was going to slap him or something. I was shocked I'll admit, but I'll never forget the look on his face when I replied "oh. Well. I'm glad to have helped you out. As long as your happy what does it matter who you see"

He never felt comfortable with my forgiveness, but the first x and I would occasionally double when his Dad asked him to chaperone his little sister (who happened to be one of my best friends) since he couldn't bring his boyfriend out on her first date with a guy, I was someone he knew he could call. Being friends with both helped me balance his protectiveness against hers.
I seem to have meandered abit, mostly I was trying to remember some of the other phrases "care for Greek food" as there was none in town it was mostly used to say how hard it was to find someone when no one comes out "ah there's no Greek food" Greek being a r reference to reputed habbits of some Greek philosophers. "Switching teams" or "wrong team" I think "he plays for the wrong team" was used in a popular movie that came out while I was transitoning from middle to high school. And "switch hitter" was for bi kids.

 

[tinkerdan]

I think most of these types of Euphemisms will be identifiable in context and even if we don't use it it will be clear.

On that note it might also stir trouble with those who want to purge all of those types of slurs from our vocabulary when considering the all to be derogatory.

I think if it's appropriate for your character to be using derogatory terms by their nature then it's fine but if they are being portrayed as a part of the community that it's directed at then there would need to be a compelling reason for them to use it at all. Although not all would be equally as sensitive they would all be aware of the portion of the community that is. (They might be more direct less circumspect.)

In many instances the euphemism is used by the people more uncomfortable with the whole concept.

Still if we were to remove all these type of Euphemisms from our writing there would be some disturbing gaps.

Still if you claim it's not meant as an insult I'd research that a bit.

 

[ZombieWife]

Ones I remember (as a dirty, filthy yank)

Playing for the other team
Batting for the other side
Goes both ways (for bisexual)

 

[The Ace]

Probably more often than we say, 'Och aye, the noo.'

We do say, 'Och aye,' (Oh yes)

We do say, 'The noo.' (Just now).

I have never heard anyone combine them.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Well, anything can be insulting if you say it right (or wrong). Our Hero's mother says "teenagers" and makes it sound like a dirty word. But "plays for the other team" is just being used as a statement of sexual preference...as the gay girl tries to decide if she'd rather kiss a cheerleader or a netballer. And Our Hero, the straight girl who first mentions playing for teams, is trying to help her gay friend find a girl who likes girls.

That's the context.

 

[tinkerdan]

Well, anything can be insulting if you say it right (or wrong). Our Hero's mother says "teenagers" and makes it sound like a dirty word. But "plays for the other team" is just being used as a statement of sexual preference...as the gay girl tries to decide if she'd rather kiss a cheerleader or a netballer. And Our Hero, the straight girl who first mentions playing for teams, is trying to help her gay friend find a girl who likes girls.

Well there you go. Someone not in the community might say that because they have heard it, although someone in the community might have some problem with the usage. While not everyone in the community will be that sensitive you may have a character in the story who is so watch out for that.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Fair point. The context should make it clear it's not meant as an insult.

I might put the conversation up in Critiques, so it's clear (I hope).