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Werking

Werking is a term most closely associated with drag performance and broader LGBTQ+ culture. It refers to the act of presenting oneself or a performance with confidence, style, and precision, often through lip-syncing, dancing, posing, and flashy styling. As a gerund of the slang verb werk, werking denotes ongoing action and a high level of stage craft.

Origins and usage. The root term werk arises from drag and ballroom communities, where participants are encouraged

Contexts and meaning. Werking can describe a specific moment on stage, such as a flawless lip-sync or

Cultural significance. Werking embodies self-expression, empowerment, and the celebration of performance as a form of identity

See also: Drag culture, Ball culture, Voguing, Werk (slang), RuPaul’s Drag Race.

to
deliver
dramatic,
polished
performances.
Variants
such
as
werk
and
werkin’
are
common,
and
werking
emerged
as
a
naturalized
form
to
describe
the
process
of
performing
well.
The
term
entered
wider
popular
culture
through
media
coverage
of
drag
scenes
and
was
popularized
further
by
RuPaul’s
Drag
Race,
where
contestants
are
repeatedly
urged
to
“werk”
their
look
and
routine.
a
sharply
choreographed
entrance,
as
well
as
a
sustained
level
of
presentation
across
a
performance
or
appearance.
It
is
used
as
both
a
noun
and
a
verb
and
appears
frequently
in
social
media,
fan
commentary,
and
critiques
of
fashion
and
performance.
While
rooted
in
drag,
the
concept
has
broadened
to
describe
confident,
stylish
execution
in
dance,
fashion,
and
other
performance
arts.
and
artistry
within
queer
communities.
It
reflects
communal
codes
around
confidence,
artistry,
and
audience
engagement,
and
has
influenced
mainstream
fashion,
music,
and
entertainment
narratives.