1. A relationship between close friends, typically male, that is loyal and close- where they pretend to be gay for eachother. Typically used ironically, or in a joking manner- individuals who use this phrase are usually not actually sexually involved, or attracted to eachother. But they will jokingly flirt with eachother. Bonus points if they are on the same team in a sport, video
game, or other collaborative group.
This is a reference to Acient Sparta/Thebes, where homoeroticism was incentivized between warriors within troops because leaders believed it would make them fight
better.
Examples are two gamers, neither of which are gay, who flirt with eachother as a joke. Or two friends on a
basketball team, both guys- neither gay, who, again, flirt with eachother as a joke.
2. A relationship between two
people who are attracted to eachother, and flirt with eachother "as a joke" but are still just friends. Bonus points if they are on a team.
- typically used in queer circles to tease straight, cisgender men who pretend to be gay for eachother. But not with malice. LGBT+
people usually just find it
funny/entertaining.
