Sexual slang

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Sexual slang is a set of linguistic terms and phrases used to refer to sexual organs, processes, and activities; [1] they are generally considered colloquial rather than formal or medical, and some may be seen as impolite or improper. [2]

Contents

Related to sexual slang is slang related to defecation and flatulence (toilet humor, scatolinguistics). References to the anal tract are often given a sexual connotation in the context of anal sex (in particular, in a context of male homosexuality).

While popular usage is extremely versatile in coining ever new short-lived synonyms, old terms with originally no pejorative colouring may come to be considered inappropriate over time. Thus, terms like arse/ass , cunt , cock and fuck should not be considered "slang," since they are the inherited common English terms for their referents,[ citation needed ] but they are often considered vulgarisms and are replaced by euphemisms or scientific terminology in "polite" language.

Pejorative usage

Terms of disparagement are used to refer to members of a given sexual minority, gender, sex, or sexual orientation in a derogatory or pejorative manner. They are used as insults by persons who are not or do not wish to be associated with the group being disparaged. For example, queer can be used as an insult by those seeking to deprecate homosexual, bisexual, and transgender or transsexual people, but the word has also undergone reclaiming, such that it can be used positively within that community. Which terms are used as slurs is determined by a society's or subculture's set of values, especially its biases against genders (sexism). For example, words such as whore and slut are typically used to refer to sexually promiscuous women.

Sexual slurs are common across many cultures and historical periods. The most common slurs directed against men historically include accusations of being a passive homosexual (Aristophanes notably enjoyed using such allusions) or of being effeminate; for example, in the Hittite military oath, oath-breakers are threatened with being made into women (a promise of either actual castration, or of divine revenge on the traitors' manhood). The pejorative term prick for a contemptible person is also usually used for men. [3]

Sexual slang and humor

In the popular jargon of many cultures, the use of sexual slang is a form of humor or euphemism that often creates controversy over its public use. Sexual humor has been seen in many circles as crude and unsophisticated, as well as insulting towards the subject it describes. Sexual slang has a long history in literature and comedy: examples from Shakespeare are well-known. The popularity of contemporary comedians who indulge in sexual humor, from George Carlin to Andrew Dice Clay, reflects the appeal of this form of speech. It is often seen as a form of taboo, in which much of the appeal lies in the shock value of daring to speak "forbidden" words in public.[ citation needed ]

Examples

Sexual slang and social media

With the advancement of the internet and social media, it has gotten increasingly easier to communicate and share information rapidly and to a wide audience. As the generations progress they will have their own slangs for certain things and sex is no exception. With Gen Z growing up and creating lots of content on social media such as TikTok, Instagram, or X, they have also brought changes to sexual slang terms. [4] Listed are some sexual slang terms that are commonly referenced, [5] not all of which may have explicit sexual meaning, but are words under the sex umbrella:

Not all sexual slang words mean only one thing; there can be multiple different meanings for the same word, depending on the context. [6]

Social media has not only brought about new words but also the use of emojis. With texting being so common, emojis are a common way to express feelings like using ":)" to express a smile and happiness. In the same sense an eggplant or a peach emoji can be used to say penis or ass respectively. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facial (sexual act)</span> Sexual activity involving ejaculating on the face of another

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Soggy biscuit is a male group masturbation activity in which the participants stand around a biscuit (UK) or cookie (US) masturbating and ejaculating onto it; the last person to do so must eat the biscuit. Additionally, a participant who fails to hit the biscuit when he ejaculates must then eat it. The game is reportedly played by adolescents. In Australia, it is also known as soggy SAO after the SAO brand of biscuits that are popular there.

Sloppy seconds is a slang phrase for when a man has sexual intercourse with a partner shortly after that person has had intercourse with someone else, and is therefore wet or "sloppy". The phrase "buttered bun" is sometimes used to refer to said orifice. The practice is also referred to as a "wet deck".

Cornhole is a sexual slang vulgarism for the anus. The term came into use in the 1910s in the United States. Its verb form, to cornhole, which came into use in the 1930s, means 'to have anal sex'.

Pirate has multiple meanings in sexual slang. Several of them emerged in the 20th century and play off the tradition that pirates took whatever they wanted, including sex, which was "seen as a conquest."

Prick is a vulgar word for 'penis' as well as a pejorative term used to refer to a despicable or contemptible individual. It is generally considered offensive, though in the past it has been used as a term of endearment. Its history as a euphemism for 'penis' goes back to the 1500s and has been used in wordplay by Shakespeare and other writers who have combined the vulgarism with the standard meaning of the noun, which means the act of piercing or puncturing. Most linguists believe it has been used as a direct insult only since 1929.

References

  1. Richard Guy Parker; Peter Aggleton (1998). Culture, Society and Sexuality: A Reader. Routledge. p. 421. ISBN   978-1-85728-811-7.
  2. Timothy Jay (2000). Why We Curse: A Neuro-Psycho-Social Theory of Speech . John Benjamins Publishing Company. pp.  176–177. ISBN   978-1-55619-758-1.
  3. Terry Victor, Tom Dalzell, The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, Routledge, Nov 27, 2014
  4. "A Comprehensive Guide To Understanding Sexual Slang | Allo Health". www.allohealth.care. 2023-07-06. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  5. Orchard, Treena (September 2021). "Chill Broad, Bitch Boi; Twink: What Sexual Slang Reveals About Gen Z'ers". ResearchGate .
  6. Dalzell, Tom; Victor, Terry (2008). "Sex Slang" (PDF).
  7. Zapal, Haley (2022-05-05). "2023 Sexual Slang: Phrases and Emojis Parents Need to Know". Bark. Retrieved 2023-11-27.

Further reading