In the first chapter, she offers an interesting etymology of the word fairy: It probably originated on sailing vessels of olden times when voyages often lasted for months. While the crew was either actually or prospectively suffering acutely from the absence of the female of the species, one of their number would unexpectedly betray an inclination to supply her place. Looked upon as a fairy gift or godsend, such individual would be referred to as “the fairy.” 14 It’s impossible to know how apocryphal this story is, but it again highlights the connection between sailors and queer sexuality, as
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