A Shakespearean insult that is defined by the character of Thersites in the comedic tragedy, Troilus and
Cressida, as a "masculine whore" (
5.1.17).
In other words, this is a 17th Century term for a
manslut.
Thersites:
Prithee, be silent, boy; I profit not from thy talk. Thou art said to be Achilles' male
varlet.
Patroclus: Male varlet, you rogue! What's that?
Thersites: Why, his masculine whore.
(Troilus and
Cressida, Act 5 Scene 1, lines 13-17)
