closet case

English

Etymology

From closet +‎ case. First use appears c. 1946 in the Washington Post.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

closet case (plural closet cases)

1. (slang) A person who conceals or denies their sexuality or gender identity.

   Synonyms: (clipping) closet, closet queen

   • 1979 December 15, Rick Hillegas, “Workers World Party (response)”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 21, page 5:

     Even self-styled liberated gay and straight people sometimes call outspoken bigots "closet cases".

   • 1986 February 25, Ray EMD & S Admin 223-5027, “More on Stereotypes/gays in Film”, in net.motss‎ (Usenet):

     Now this one portrays the drill instructor as an extreme/suicidal if he ever admits it closet case.

2. A person who is shunned, ignored, or considered to be an embarrassment.
   • 1956 September 24, Frank Scherschel, Gary Villet, “Fraternity Rushing”, in LIFE Magazine‎, page 144:

     Closet case at Delta Upsilon is shunted to the basement....

   • 1964, Paul H. Babbitt, “APPRAISAL OF PARENTAL ATTITUDES”, in Journal of Rehabilitation‎, volume 30, number 1, pages 20–21:

     Under-expectation on the part of the parent... can range from a complete refusal by the father to accept the fact that the child does exist (a closet case)...

Translations

a person who conceals or denies their sexuality or gender identity

Danish: skabsbøsse c Finnish: kaappihomo (fi) Russian: скрытый гей (skrytyj gej)