Yeah, I’ve been bamboozled by this before. Found out that both “dike” and “dyke” mean “water barrier” but also can be slurs.
I guess it depends on context and audience, though, I hope the context is clear in this case. :P
Edit: Also, “dam” doesn’t fit since it’s an island and not a river or lake. The island does have dams, but those are not nearly as important as the dikes.
Dikes or pair of dikes also refers to diagonal cutters. (Look like pliers with blades instead of jaws at the end) They are used for cutting sheet metal, also, wire cutters are also called dikes. Can also be used as a verb: Dike off the corner of that piece of steel, or, dike out that part of the circuit.
My wife is bi and it always messes with her when I say it. Just a trade term.
