Cultural and Historical Terms
A
Anasyrma
Anasyrma refers to the gesture of lifting one's skirt or kilt to expose the genitals, typically performed as an act of defiance, mockery, or in some cultures, as a ritual or superstitious practice. This act has historical significance in various societies and can be found in ancient mythology, folklore, and some modern contexts.
Aphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac is any substance, food, drink, scent, or visual stimulus believed to increase sexual desire, arousal, or performance. While some aphrodisiacs have cultural or historical significance, others may have scientifically proven effects on hormones, blood flow, or brain chemistry that can enhance libido.
Ars Amatoria
The Ars Amatoria (The Art of Love) is a series of three books written by the Roman poet Ovid around 2 CE that serves as an instructional guide on the art of seduction, relationships, and lovemaking. This ancient text covers everything from where to meet potential partners to maintaining long-term relationships, making it one of the earliest known comprehensive guides to dating and romance.
B
Bawdy
Bawdy refers to content, humor, or behavior that is humorously indecent, risqué, or mildly sexual in nature. It often involves playful or comedic references to sexual topics, body parts, or innuendos. Bawdy material is typically more suggestive and cheeky rather than explicitly pornographic or offensive.
BDSM
BDSM is an umbrella term for a variety of erotic practices involving bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. These practices often involve consensual power exchange, role-playing, and the use of restraints or other tools to create intense physical sensations and psychological experiences.
Burlesque Dancer
A burlesque dancer is a performer who engages in a theatrical entertainment style that combines elements of comedy, music, and striptease. Unlike traditional strippers, burlesque dancers typically focus more on the tease and artistry of their performance, often incorporating elaborate costumes, props, and choreography. The act of removing clothing is usually done in a playful, tantalizing manner, emphasizing the anticipation rather than full nudity.
C
Circumcision
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the retractable fold of skin that covers the head (glans) of the penis. It is a procedure typically performed on newborns, but can also be done on older children and adults. Circumcision is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures worldwide.
Coitus Reservatus
Coitus reservatus is a sexual practice where partners engage in sexual intercourse without reaching orgasm or ejaculation. The term literally means "reserved intercourse" in Latin. This practice involves maintaining arousal and penetration for extended periods while consciously avoiding climax. It's often associated with spiritual or tantric sexual practices and is believed by some to enhance intimacy and sexual energy.
Consummation
Consummation refers to the first act of sexual intercourse between a married couple, traditionally occurring on their wedding night. This act is considered to "complete" or "consummate" the marriage, both in cultural and sometimes legal contexts. Historically, consummation has been viewed as a crucial element in validating a marriage.
Cuckold
A cuckold is a man whose partner engages in sexual activities with other people, typically with his knowledge and consent. In modern usage, cuckolding often refers to a fetish or kink where a person derives sexual pleasure from their partner having sex with others. This practice can involve various levels of participation, from the cuckold watching the encounters to being completely excluded.
Cuffing Season
Cuffing season refers to a phenomenon where single people seek out short-term, committed relationships during the colder months of the year, typically from autumn to winter. The term "cuffing" is derived from the idea of being "handcuffed" or tied down to one partner for this period. This trend is often attributed to a desire for companionship and physical warmth during the colder, darker months.
G
Gender Identity Disorder
Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is an outdated medical term that was previously used to describe individuals whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. It has since been replaced by the term "gender dysphoria" in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to reduce stigma and better reflect the experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
Gender Role
Gender roles are the set of societal norms, behaviors, and expectations associated with being a man, woman, or non-binary individual in a given culture. These roles often dictate how people are expected to act, dress, speak, and interact based on their perceived gender. It's important to note that gender roles are social constructs and can vary significantly across different cultures and time periods.
Genital Mutilation
Genital mutilation refers to the practice of intentionally altering or injuring the genitals for non-medical reasons. This term encompasses various procedures that involve partial or total removal of external genitalia or other injury to the genital organs. It's most commonly associated with female genital mutilation (FGM), but can also refer to certain male practices.
H
Harlot
A harlot is an archaic or literary term for a prostitute or sex worker. Historically, it was used to describe a woman who engaged in sexual activities in exchange for money or other forms of payment. The term has largely fallen out of use in modern contexts and is now considered outdated and potentially offensive.
Heteronormativity
Heteronormativity refers to the assumption that heterosexuality is the default, normal, or preferred sexual orientation in society. It's a worldview that promotes heterosexual relationships as the norm and often ignores or marginalizes other sexual orientations and gender identities. This concept extends beyond just sexual orientation to include assumptions about gender roles, family structures, and societal expectations.
Hieros Gamos
Hieros gamos, also known as "sacred marriage" or "divine union," is an ancient concept and ritual practice involving sexual union that symbolizes the marriage between deities or between humans and divine beings. This practice was found in various ancient cultures and religions, often as part of fertility rites or spiritual ceremonies.
K
Kama
Kama is a Sanskrit term that refers to pleasure, desire, and sensual gratification in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. It encompasses all forms of aesthetic and erotic love, from sexual pleasure to the enjoyment of the arts. In the context of sexuality, kama is often associated with sexual desire and the pursuit of physical intimacy.
Kamashastra
Kamashastra refers to the ancient Indian texts and literature on sexuality, eroticism, and emotional fulfillment in life. The term combines "kama," meaning desire or pleasure, and "shastra," meaning treatise or scripture. These texts offer comprehensive guidance on various aspects of human sexuality, relationships, and the pursuit of pleasure within ethical and spiritual frameworks.
Kamasutra
The Kamasutra is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism, and emotional fulfillment in life. Often misunderstood as merely a manual of sex positions, the Kamasutra is actually a comprehensive guide to love, relationships, and living a virtuous life. Written by Vātsyāyana around 400 BCE to 300 CE, it explores various aspects of human sexual behavior and relationships.
Kundalini
Kundalini is a concept in certain spiritual and esoteric traditions, particularly in Hinduism and some forms of yoga. It refers to a form of divine feminine energy believed to be coiled at the base of the spine. When awakened, this energy is said to rise through the body's energy centers (chakras), leading to spiritual enlightenment and, in some practices, enhanced sexual experiences.
L
Leather
Leather, in a sexual context, refers to both a material and a subculture within the BDSM community. As a material, leather is often used in clothing, accessories, and equipment for BDSM practices due to its durability, sensory appeal, and symbolic associations with power and dominance. The leather subculture emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily among gay men, and has since expanded to include people of all genders and sexual orientations who are interested in BDSM, kink, and fetishism.
Libertine
A libertine is a person who rejects or disregards traditional sexual mores and constraints, embracing a lifestyle of sexual freedom and pleasure-seeking. Historically, the term has been used to describe individuals who indulge in sexual activities without moral restraint, often challenging societal norms and expectations surrounding sexuality.
Lingam
Lingam is a Sanskrit term that translates to "wand of light" or "pillar." In sexual and spiritual contexts, particularly within Tantra, it refers to the penis as a symbol of divine masculine creative power. The lingam is often paired with the yoni (vulva) to represent the union of masculine and feminine energies. While it's associated with the physical penis, the concept of lingam extends beyond mere anatomy to encompass spiritual and energetic aspects of masculinity.
P
Pillow Book
A pillow book is a type of intimate journal or collection of observations and musings, often including erotic content, that originated in Japanese court culture during the Heian period (794-1185 CE). The term "pillow book" comes from the Japanese word "makura no sōshi," which literally means "pillow notebook." These books were often kept by court ladies and contained a mix of personal reflections, poetry, lists, and sometimes explicit sexual descriptions or advice.
Polyandry
Polyandry is a form of non-monogamous relationship or marriage in which a woman has multiple male partners simultaneously. It's a specific type of polygamy, where one individual has multiple spouses. In polyandrous arrangements, a single woman is married to or in a committed relationship with two or more men at the same time, with the full knowledge and consent of all parties involved.
Pornography
Pornography, often referred to as "porn," is any material (such as videos, images, or writing) that explicitly depicts sexual subjects or activity with the primary intention of sexual arousal. It typically involves the portrayal of nudity and sexual acts, ranging from solo performances to partnered sexual activities.
R
Relationship Escalator
The relationship escalator is a societal concept that describes the traditional, expected progression of romantic relationships. It refers to the idea that relationships should follow a predetermined set of steps or milestones, typically including dating, becoming exclusive, moving in together, getting married, and having children. This concept assumes that all relationships should aim for these milestones and that deviating from this path is unconventional or less valid.
Reproductive Justice
Reproductive justice is a holistic concept that goes beyond the traditional focus on reproductive rights. It's an intersectional approach that combines reproductive rights with social justice, emphasizing the right to have children, not have children, and parent children in safe and healthy environments. This framework acknowledges that reproductive health and rights are influenced by social, political, and economic inequalities.
Ribaldry
Ribaldry refers to humorous or entertaining content that is characterized by its crude, offensive, or mildly indecent nature, often with sexual overtones. It encompasses a wide range of expressions, from witty sexual innuendos to more explicit jokes or stories. Ribaldry is typically meant to provoke laughter or amusement through its risqué or taboo subject matter.
S
Sex-Positive Feminism
Sex-positive feminism is a movement and philosophy within feminism that embraces and celebrates sexuality as a potentially positive force in one's life. It advocates for sexual freedom, autonomy, and pleasure for all genders, while emphasizing the importance of consent, safety, and personal choice in sexual matters. Sex-positive feminists argue that sexual expression, including various forms of consensual sexual activity, can be a source of empowerment and liberation for women and other marginalized groups.
Sexology
Sexology is the scientific study of human sexuality, including sexual behaviors, interests, and functions. It's an interdisciplinary field that combines knowledge from various areas such as biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and medicine to understand all aspects of human sexual development, relationships, and practices.
Shunga
Shunga is a genre of Japanese erotic art that flourished during the Edo period (1603-1867). The term literally translates to "spring pictures," where "spring" is a euphemism for sex. Shunga typically consists of woodblock prints, paintings, or hand-scrolls depicting explicit sexual acts between couples, often in exaggerated or fantastical ways.
Snu-snu
"Snu-snu" is a humorous slang term for sexual intercourse, particularly when it's vigorous or potentially exhausting. The term originated from the animated television series "Futurama" and has since entered popular culture as a playful euphemism for sex.
Streaking
Streaking is the act of running naked in a public place, typically as a prank, statement, or form of thrill-seeking. It involves an individual or group quickly dashing through a populated area while completely nude, often to shock, amuse, or provoke a reaction from onlookers. Streaking gained popularity as a social phenomenon in the 1970s, particularly on college campuses and at sporting events.
T
Taoist Bedroom Arts
Taoist Bedroom Arts, also known as "the Arts of the Bedchamber" in Chinese tradition, refer to a set of ancient sexual practices and philosophies rooted in Taoist beliefs. These practices aim to cultivate sexual energy, enhance intimacy, and promote physical and spiritual well-being. The core principle involves the circulation and preservation of vital life force, or "qi," through various sexual techniques and exercises.
Taoist Sexual Alchemy
Taoist Sexual Alchemy is an ancient Chinese practice that combines spiritual beliefs, sexual practices, and energy work. It's based on the Taoist principle of balancing yin and yang energies within the body. Practitioners believe that sexual energy can be cultivated, circulated, and transformed to achieve physical health, spiritual growth, and even immortality.
Taoist Sexual Practices
Taoist sexual practices are ancient Chinese techniques that view sexual activity as a way to cultivate spiritual growth, physical health, and longevity. These practices emphasize the circulation and balance of sexual energy, known as "jing," within the body. Taoist sexuality often involves specific breathing exercises, meditation, and physical techniques designed to enhance sexual pleasure while preserving vital energy.
Toxic Masculinity
Toxic masculinity refers to a set of cultural norms and expectations associated with male behavior that are considered harmful to both men and society. It encompasses attitudes and behaviors that emphasize aggression, dominance, emotional suppression, and the devaluation of traditionally feminine traits. This concept doesn't suggest that masculinity itself is inherently toxic, but rather points out specific expressions of masculinity that can be detrimental.
Transphobia
Transphobia refers to fear, hatred, discomfort, or prejudice directed towards transgender individuals or those whose gender identity or expression differs from their assigned sex at birth. It can manifest in various forms, ranging from subtle microaggressions to overt discrimination, violence, or systemic oppression. Transphobia often stems from a lack of understanding, cultural biases, or rigid beliefs about gender roles and identities.
Two-Spirit
Two-Spirit is a modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous North American cultures to describe a traditional third gender role. It refers to individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits within one body. Two-Spirit people often have distinct gender and social roles in their communities, which can include spiritual or ceremonial responsibilities.
Y
Yab-Yum
Yab-yum is a term originating from Tibetan Buddhism, referring to both a sexual position and a symbolic representation in Tantric practices. Literally meaning "father-mother" in Tibetan, yab-yum depicts sexual union as a metaphor for the merging of wisdom and compassion. In physical practice, it typically involves partners sitting face-to-face with one partner straddling the other's lap.
Yoni
Yoni is a Sanskrit term that translates to "sacred space" or "sacred temple" and is often used to refer to the female genitalia, particularly the vulva and vagina. In Tantric and Hindu traditions, the yoni is revered as a symbol of divine feminine energy, creation, and the source of life. It encompasses not just the physical aspects of female anatomy but also carries spiritual and metaphysical significance.