Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (gay, also brucie) a term of address among male homosexuals [Bruce is seen as a ‘typical’ gay name; ? its potential, in camp usage, for being lisped; ? the relationship betwen Batman, i.e. Bruce Wayne and his ‘ward’ Robin (Dick Grayson)].

1972		B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular 95: George (hetero sl) male homosexual ‘Oh, George, you’re gorgeous!’ Syn: Bruce; Cy; Oscar.
1980		(con. 1966) W. Sherman Times Square 13: ‘I’m Brucie,’ he said, lifting his skirt again and tangoing around the lamp post.
1980		Maledicta IV:2 (Winter) 233: Johnny Carson and others with gigantic audiences can rapidly establish that Bruce is the basic ‘gay’ name.

2. (US campus) a male who thinks he is suave and sophisticated but really is not.

1987

Eble Campus Sl. Spring.

3. (Aus.) a tough ‘macho’ male [stereotypical ‘Aus.’ name + kung fu superstar Bruce Lee (1940-73)].

2008

Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) 23 Sept. 🌐 Aussie blokes have a reputation for being tough [...] They are typical Bruces; rough, hard-drinking, ute-driving tattooed types.

4. (N.Z. prison) an Asian [from Bruce Lee (see above), but with no assumed sense of toughness].

2001

D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 31/2: Bruce n. an Asian.