Lesbo

Lesbo is a colloquial abbreviation of lesbian. For much of the 20th century it was used as an insult, thrown at women to shame them for loving women. Like dyke, it belongs to a group of once-hostile words that many lesbians have reclaimed and now use affectionately or playfully among themselves. Whether it lands as friendly or offensive depends almost entirely on who is speaking and why. Inside the community it can feel warm and self-aware. Coming from an outsider or said with contempt, it still reads as a slur. When unsure, the safer choice is the person's own words for themselves.