Mother TongueCelebrating Queer Language
Welcome to Mother Tongue! The game show where the only thing that counts is your vocab. Four fab contestants. One glamorous host. We’re serving smart talk, sharp turns, and the stories behind the language that shapes queer culture.
2 June 2025 · 2 min read
Because this isn’t just a game. It’s a deep dive into the history, power and culture of queer language – spoken and unspoken.
Meet your host:
Miss Peppermint
She’s glam. She’s grounded. She’s a Black trans icon who doesn’t miss a beat. With charm, smarts and serious star power, Miss Peppermint leads Mother Tongue through every word, wink and well-timed side-eye.
Beyond the spotlight, she’s a fearless advocate: fighting for trans rights and championing racial justice. Her voice has challenged systems, shifted conversations and helped create space for communities historically excluded from mainstream culture. And yes – Miss Peppermint knows exactly how to deliver the dialougue and the dazzle.
Did you know?
“Kiki” isn’t just a laugh, it’s a whole moment.
Rooted in African American Vernacular English and ballroom culture, it describes a joy-filled hangout: think gossip, giggles and letting go. It hit the mainstream in 2012 thanks to a certain pop anthem… but queer communities had it first.
Meet the contestants:
Team One: Gia Bab & Casey Spooner
She’s a powerhouse in platform heels. He’s been queering pop since the early 2000s. They’re sharp, stylish and more than ready to snatch a win.
Between rounds of “Origins”, “Picture This” and whatever else Mother Tongue throws at them, the pair manage to turn gameplay into a full-on kiki.
Bonus points for the synchronised hair sashay – off-script but totally on-point.
Did you know?
Used in the mid-20th century, “Friend of Dorothy” was a discreet way to identify as gay – a quiet signal of solidarity at a time when openness could be dangerous.
The reference? Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz: a character who’s meant far more to the community than just ruby slippers.
Meet the contestants:
Team Two: Dakota & Lady Phyll
He’s got the receipts and the repartee. She’s an activist, a disruptor and a whole lot of impact.
Together, they’re bringing wisdom, wit and charisma for days.
Grab the popcorn and watch as Dakota and Lady Phyll get a little “Lost in Translation” during a round that’s part charades, part cultural decoding, and pure, glorious chaos.
Did you know?
“Demante” might come from the French word for “insane” but in queer slang, it’s anything but.
This word is used to hype someone who’s giving full glamour and full fantasy. Think: unbothered, untouchable and serving from head to heel.
Introducing Gigi
Our dictionary diva
She’s got the references, the range and the cultural intel. If it’s been said in queer culture, Gigi’s got the history.
And remember, queer language isn’t one-size-fits-all.
It's a language that's local, global, spoken, signed and forever evolving. Born from resistance, shaped by joy and shared across generations and geographies.
Mother Tongue celebrates the power of queer expression across borders and identities. Zalando is proud to support this celebration – across cultures, communities and conversations.