From Polari — the secret slang used by gay men, circus performers, and street traders in Britain before decriminalization — 'bona vardering' means finding someone attractive or good-looking. 'Bona' means good or nice, and 'vardering' comes from the Italian 'vedere' (to see), so the phrase literally evokes appreciating someone with your eyes. It carries the coded warmth of a community that had to hide its language.
They were bona vardering that bloke across the bar all evening, nudging each other and whispering.
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(Polari) Attractive; good-looking.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.