Beard is a slang term, American in origin, describing a person who is used, knowingly or unknowingly, as a date, romantic partner (boyfriend or girlfriend), or spouse either to conceal infidelity or to conceal one's sexual orientation.[1][2] The term also refers, in some areas, to anyone who acted on behalf of another, in any transaction, to conceal a person's true identity.[3][1] The term can be used in heterosexual and non-heterosexual contexts but is especially used within LGBTQ+ culture.[3][4] References to beards are seen in mainstream television and films, and other entertainment.
- ^ a b "beard: definition of beard in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)". Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. 2014-06-03. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Green, Jonathon (1998). "beard". Cassell's Dictionary of Slang. London: Cassell. ISBN 9780304344352. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ Green, Jonathon (2005). Cassell's Dictionary of Slang. p. 83. ISBN 9780304366361.