Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US Und.) a master criminal [? they breed new crimes].

1930

R. Whitfield Green Ice (1988) 40: I’m interested in the breeders – the few who rope in the dumb ones, the weak ones. [Ibid.] 47: You were wise to the fact that when I got out of prison I was going to shove in on some big-time crime breeders.

2. one who gives birth to (many) children.

1934		C.S. Johnson Shadow of the Plantation 57: There is pride in large families. ‘Good breeders’ are regarded with admiration.
1948		Good Housekeeping Jan. 103/1: She was about sixteen going on seventeen—and fated to be what the Crackers down our way call ‘a good breeder’ [DA]].
2023		J. Jackson Pineapple Street 155: ‘Vara, when I have a reason to discuss the sartorial choices of breeders I will do so. Now stop it’ .

3. (US campus) one who is in a steady relationship.

1981

Eble Campus Sl. Mar. 2: breeder – one who is currently dating.

4. (gay) a heterosexual, esp. one who favours child-rearing.

1980		W. Hamilton Kevin 114: ‘I have no intention of becoming—who do we call it—“a breeder”.’ [Ibid.] 161: ‘The beauty of gay life is its detachment. Let the breeders clean up their own mess’ [Simes:DLSS].
1982		A. Maupin Further Tales of the City (1984) 125: Hey . . . what does a breeder know?
1992		R. Stevenson Third Man Out 121: ‘I don’t think John trusted any straight people—‘breeders’ he called us [Simes:DLSS].
1999		Indep. Rev. 30 June 12: Abroad, a moustache is actually a sign of being a breeder.
2000		Observer 31 Dec. 30: Setting yourself up to inflame the ‘breeders’, or ‘hets’, is only the flipside of craving approval.
2002		Indep. 12 Nov. 18: Fancy a lot of breeders seeing past all that hanging around in Soho, comparing outfits [and] downing lagers.
2010		R.R. Rao Hostel Room 131 201: ‘Come on, I’m a goddamn homo, not a breeder like the rest of civilization’ [Simes:DLSS].
2013		slate.com 3 July 🌐 I support gay rights. I’m a “breeder.” Would you like me to end my support? Next time I get a fundraising pitch from a gay rights group should I just scrawl, ‘Breeder’ across the letter and send it back without a check?

5. (gay) a married homosexual who produces children.

1998

R. Scott Rebecca’s Dict. of Queer Sl. 🌐 breeder — a derogatory term for a heterosexual, bisexual, or, rarely, any queer who wishes to have children.