Search results
People also ask
What does dL mean in gay slang?
What does dL mean in texting?
What does dL mean?
What does dL mean in a relationship?
Is DL a positive or negative word?
What is the difference between DL speed and download speed?
Nov 3, 2016 · The term evolved to identify such men as their female partners were discovering that their Man was subversively engaging in sexual relations with another man on the side, (on the DL) while their female partner was unaware of his behavior and sexual preference.
26 definitions of DL. Definition of DL in Slang/Internet Slang. What does DL stand for?
Jul 25, 2024 · DL’s meaning in gay slang refers to gay and bisexual men who live their lives pretending to be straight, refusing to come out, or living in denial. Not to be dramatic, but pretending to be straight has got to be the only thing worse than actually being straight.
- Overview
- Meaning
- History of the Term
- Other Possible Meanings
You’ve seen those 2 letters used everywhere on TikTok. Usually it’s in videos that say something like, “How to know if someone is DL.” But what does “DL” even mean? And what does it mean for someone to “be DL?” Is it a bad thing? We’ll tell you upfront that the term’s got lots of history, and there’s more nuance to it than you might think. We’ll fill you in on what “DL” means, its origin, and some common misconceptions surrounding the term. Then, we’ll give you some related terms and other possible definitions, just to cover your bases.
“DL” is an abbreviation that means “down low,” which is another way to say that something is secret or on a need-to-know basis.
“Down low” is a slang term that refers to a person who is publicly straight but secretly gay.
“DL” might also be short for “download,” “distance learning,” or “defensive lineman.”
“DL” stands for “down low.”
Generally, the term means “in secret.”
To keep something “on the down low” means to hide it or keep it from being known to others.
Them: “Hey, I just picked up the gift you asked me to get for Martha!”
You: “Lower your voice, we’re keeping that on the DL until the party.”
“Down low” may refer to a closeted gay person.
“DL” emerged in Black LGBT circles in the 90s.
It’s hard to pinpoint when exactly the term originated, but it was likely coined in the mid-90s.
Contrary to similar terms like “closeted,” “down low” described an active subculture of specifically Black men who identified with the term and found that it described their particular circumstances and the risks involved in being both Black and gay.
The concept of “down low” lifestyles was notably explored by the author E. L. Harris in the early 90s. Harris often wrote of the “double lives” of Black LGBT men.
Some think you can identify a DL person by their appearance or behavior, but this is a misconception.
The term was brought into the mainstream by the author J.L. King.
“DL” may simply refer to something you download from the internet, or the act of downloading something. In addition, “dl speed” refers to the rate at which something is downloaded, which depends on the speed of your internet.
A data language, or a data definition language, is a computer programming language. It’s used to alter databases and their components.
This is an agency of the U.S. government responsible for overseeing issues that involve worker, wages, and other areas that relate to jobs and careers.
This is a term used in politics and business to describe a person in charge who tends to split or cause conflict within a team or organization.
A unit of measurement that amounts to 1/10 of a liter.
In many fields of science or math, this is a quantity that doesn’t have a corresponding physical unit.
Down-low is an African-American slang term [1] specifically used within the African-American community that typically refers to a sexual subculture of black men who usually identify as heterosexual but actively seek sexual encounters and relations with other men, practice gay cruising, and frequently don a specific hip-hop attire during these ...
Oct 20, 2021 · This is a shorthand term used in text messaging when something is to be kept a secret. The meaning of the DL is to keep a secret – if someone told you something and told you to keep it on the DL, this means not to tell anyone.
Jul 31, 2024 · What does the Gen Z term "DL" mean? How is it used in conversation? Find out with Family Education and learn Gen Z slang today!
