It’s time for our series of posts here at Jessica Who?, titled “Word of the Week”. In these short articles, from here on out published each Friday, I will explore the various labels and umbrella terms used to label us. By doing this, I hope to educate not only myself, but also anyone who may not be familiar with these terms. Feel free to add your own knowledge to each post by leaving a comment 
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The label that we will be examining is: Drab
Standard Definition
There are multiple definitions of the word drab. The first is cloths of a brown color and the other is boring, mundane, ordinary.
Derogatory?
Slightly, like try telling a woman that her outfit is drab. You’ll probably end up with a black eye or a red cheek 
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What’s It Really Mean?
For TG purposes, drab is an acronym meaning “dressed as a boy” but it’s rather convenient that the word also means boring or even clothes of a brown (boring) color. I’m not sure when D.R.A.B. originated or how, but I find it a funny word to explain when a transwoman or a mtf crossdresser is in male clothes.
My Take
I use this word in my writing but I’m not too fond of it because it implies that all transvestites / crossdressers are averse to dressing in men’s clothing. Perhaps there are some that feel this way which is totally understandable, however I’m not so sure that this is representative of our entire community.
In the post “Is Your Drab Fab?”, you left some interesting comments. Many of you want to look your best no matter how your presenting, and this is probably a message that the rest of society needs to pick up on. I’m not sure there’s much of a correlation between how you dress as a guy versus how you dress as a gal.
We’ll explore this topic further, like how I was once told that by taking more of an interest in my male appearance, the desire to crossdress would fade away and other tidbits.
Your Take
Have you anything to add? Please leave your take on this word in the comments section, I hope we can open up a dialogue and learn from each other while educating the masses.
JessicaWhoHD
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
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I think the term drab can adequately describe how some of us feel about our male wardrobe, especially if one is unable to wear their girly clothes for a period of time. It works for me since I underdress on a daily basis, and believe me when I say, my underwear is anything but drab compared to the comparatively blah guy t-shirt and Shorts I usually wear. The only really colorful guy items I have in “his” closet is a large collection of Aloha Shirts.
Isn’t it interesting, though, to consider mother nature’s choice to dress many of her minions in male finery while the poor female languishes in a bland, indeed “drab”, appearance, i.e.; birds and many reef fish.
Anyway, “drab” to me is a state of mind and need not actually describe the guy clothes we are forced to display in our every life.
Kathy
Anyway, “drab” to me is a state of mind and need not actually describe the guy clothes we are forced to display in our every life.
Well put, I agree
Yes, I always thought as “drab” as an opposite, or antonym to drag, and one which sums up our feelings about “boy stuff”. I had not not noticed the acronym.
I take exception to brown being drab! Yes, it can be dowdy, but has figured, rather than black, in some of my favourite ensembles. It goes well with my colouring.
Brown is a great color, I have several articles of clothing in that color and they look good on my skin tone
Call me naive (or “Call me Irresponsible”) but I wasn’t aware of the possibility that DRAG and DRAB could be derived from Dressed As a Girl and Dressed As a Boy. They make perfect sense. I have always wondered how “drag” came to be used in this context, and this is as good a reason as I have ever heard!
Wait a second! Doesn’t that mean that women crossdress in public . Or drab! And nuffin happens! Or it’s that women have to much freedom in wearing what they care for! In another words they can wear pants one day and a dress the next! If I man did the same thing he might be send to the doctors to see what’s wrong with him! True or not!