a distinctive English argot in use since at least the 18th century among groups of theatrical and circus performers and in certain homosexual communities, derived largely from Italian, directly or through Lingua Franca.
ultimately < Italianparlare to speak, talk; see parle
British Dictionary definitions for Polari
Polari
/pəˈlɑːrɪ/
noun
1.
an English slang that is derived from the Lingua Franca of Mediterranean ports; brought to England by sailors from the 16th century onwards. A few words survive, esp in male homosexual slang