Euphemisms, or terms used in place of other words, and slang are a key part of how we talk about all things intimate. While vagina and penis are the ‘proper’ terms, they feel awkward when talking casually compared to pussy and dick. Every language and time period has its own words to describe body parts, sex acts and types of people. Sometimes we hold on to those words for centuries, but sometimes old slang sounds bizarre and downright comical! 

The following are made available by The Project Gutenberg publication of The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.

Doing The Deed

There are infinite ways to describe the horizontal tango; like knocking boots or getting laid. At the turn of the 19th century, you could have a brush with a beautiful woman, or relish her. If it was a quickie, you would take a flourish, and if you decided to have a mostly clothed romp outside of the bedroom, you would be taking a flyer. 

Sugar Sticks & Bubbies

Slang terms for body parts are also common and change constantly. What we call boobs, titties and ta-tas, were once called diddeys, bubbies and a woman’s apple dumplin’ shop. A busty woman could be called a bushel bubby! As for pussy, the words quim and madge were popular euphemisms.

Don’t worry, dicks were not forgotten! Cocks were described as deliciously naughty sugar sticks and if you were a shower, not a grower, you might be described as having a lobcock. One of the wittier phrases was the silent flute.

People

Not all parts of language change though; this 18th-century text still described well-endowed blokes as well-hung. Also, while gold digger usually refers to a young woman and a rich man, the term fortune hunter was reserved for men who were seeking wealthy wives!

There are also many terms for promiscuous ladies, sex workers and women in general, though some aren’t as kind as others. Dirty puzzle is defined as “a nasty slut” which has definitely appeared in more than a few XXX video titles. A few highlights include quean, trollop and strumpet all referring to lusty babes, plus harlot of course!

Language is constantly changing and as new words emerge, the old ones can fade away. It’s amusing to imagine using those words today since they seem so foreign to us. If you fancy taking a flourish of your own, check out the available babes here!

Available in a range of sizes and flavoured, coloured and textured for your pleasure! Condoms are an essential part of a healthy sex life! They remain the only form of contraception that reduces the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. They weren’t always so fancy though!

Just The Tip

While modern condoms are stocked in a range of sizes, there was a period of time when doctors were responsible for measuring and ordering custom fits! These made-to-measure prophylactics were ‘glans only’ but didn’t offer complete protection and had a tendency to fall off during use. Some earlier records indicate glans condoms were used in Japan and Italy too but they faced the same issues.

Sick Sea Men

In 1494, thriving naval fleets and nautical trade routes contributed to an international outbreak of STIs, namely, syphilis. The symptomatic pustules contributed to the deaths of many people across Europe and by 1505, large parts of Asia. Doctors and physicians across the world began an effort to popularise the use of condoms to reduce the risk of transmission. This led to efforts to make condoms more affordable. Since they were hand-crafted at the time, condoms were largely reserved for the upper classes due to the cost. 

Rubbers Weren’t Always Made Of Rubber

Before the mid-1800s, condoms were made from a range of materials and their comfort level varied too. 14th century England they were made of animal tissue, sometimes the bladder or intestines. While it seems bizarre now, gloves had been made out of treated intestines since the 1200s.

In Japan, condoms were made of tortoise shells or animal horns; talk about being horny! The Dutch began trading in condoms made of “fine leather” and the Italians experimented with linen condoms that were secured with a ribbon. If you could afford the luxury (and didn’t mind the sticky texture), some were even lined with velvet or silk!

While rubber condoms were first developed in 1855, they still had a lengthwise seam and were about 2mm thick. It wasn’t until 1912 that Julius Fromm dipped a glass bulb into liquid rubber to create the seamless design we all recognise today! Fromm also created condom vending machines!

Like many things, condoms have gone through countless iterations. From bulky linen and animal horn to the seamless, lightweight and sometimes flavoured versions available from corner stores and sexual health clinics today. The development of the modern condom has been essential in helping humanity make the most of their time between the sheets.

Adult stores, often referred to as adult toy shops or sex shops, play a complex role in society. They are more than just a place to purchase sexual products. These establishments offer education, empowerment and exploration. They provide individuals and couples with the resources to improve their sex lives and explore their bedroom interests. Adult stores are definitely more than just a display case and some kinky costumes!

1. Creating a Safe and Inclusive Space

One of the primary purposes of adult stores is to create a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can explore their sexuality free from judgment or stigma. Unlike the impersonal experience of online shopping, adult stores offer a physical space where customers can interact with knowledgeable staff, ask questions, and seek advice tailored to their own preferences. This openness empowers customers to make informed decisions about their sexual health and pleasure.

2. Promoting Sexual Health and Wellness

Beyond the sale of adult toys and accessories, many adult stores offer a wealth of resources and information aimed at promoting sexual health and wellness. From workshops and educational events to writings and online guides, these venues provide valuable insights into topics such as anatomy, communication, consent, and pleasure enhancement. By prioritising education and awareness, adult stores empower individuals to take control of their sexual health and explore their desires in a safe and responsible manner.

3. Fostering Intimacy and Connection

At their core, adult stores are about more than just products—they’re about fostering intimacy and connection between partners. Whether it’s playing with new toys, exploring fantasies, or simply spicing up the bedroom routine, adult stores offer a myriad of options for couples looking to deepen their bond and rekindle their passion. With so much available, adult stores encourage individuals to get to know themselves and couples to get to know each other.

Fun Fact

• The world’s largest adult store, located in Las Vegas, spans over 70,000 square feet and shows off everything from adult toys and lingerie to adult entertainment and novelty items.

Adult stores serve as invaluable resources for individuals and couples seeking to explore and enhance their intimate experiences. By providing a safe, inclusive, and educational environment, these establishments empower customers to embrace their sexuality, prioritise their sexual health, and deepen their connections with their partners. Whether it’s through the purchase of a new toy, attendance at a workshop, or simply a conversation with a friendly staff member, the value and purpose of adult stores extend far beyond the products on their shelves.

It’s about time you reach out; I don’t like to be kept waiting, but I am a forgiving mistress. Leave your work and worries at the door and step into MY domain. I am your ultimate escape, the perfect, powerful woman to take orders from. You aren’t the boss here, I am. So be good and follow me down the hall to the Dungeon.

I can tie you up and let you watch me enjoying myself, I want to hear you plead for me, for my body, for release. Let me make you pay; I have floggers and paddles available that create the perfect array of dull aches and sharp tingles. Or maybe I will blindfold you and tease you endlessly, edging closer and closer… All of those sensations to bring your focus back to the present, back to me and only me. Find release in your submission to me. 

And when you are craving carnal intensity, there’s the flogging frame to create the perfect pose of intimate vulnerability. Let me drag my nails across your skin before bringing my whip down smartly against you. Let it all out, every groan and sigh of pleasure dedicated to me. Beg for me, plead with me, I want to know just how much you want me. We can role-play, dress up, dirty talk, all you have to do is ask politely.

We can find an arrangement that suits you; harsh when you deserve it and tender when you need it. The perfect dynamic to bring you to breathless satisfaction. We don’t have to part ways just yet; let’s unwind together; curled up against each other’s bare skin. We can talk about things or imagine what we will do next time, or perhaps just let our breath sync up in peaceful bliss. 

Let us live out the perfect experience that is every bit as cathartic as you hope for. I’ll take control so you don’t have to, and you’ll obey your mistress because I will reward you. I know you’re busy, but you know you need me…

Henry Miller was a celebrated American author known for his bold and often explicit writing. His works “Tropic of Cancer” and “Tropic of Capricorn” both faced backlash and bannings given their sexually-explicit nature. Miller’s works helped redefine Western culture’s expectations and acceptance of mature literature. Meanwhile, the privacy of love letters between him and his lovers emboldened his writing even further. Referring to another famous author, Miller even wrote

“I wish God had given me the gift of writing about sex like D. H. Lawrence. Somehow my efforts always seem crude and shocking.”

Despite this harsh self-critique, Miller’s personal letters often involve very affectionate phrases such as “You’re food and drink to me” which break up the more explicit content. 

Letters to Anais Nin

Anais Nin is an accredited author in her own right, and her letters to Miller fuelled his passionate writings. When they were apart, Miller wrote

“When you return I am going to give you one literary fuck fest—that means fucking and talking and talking and fucking.”

They often shared steamy memories, future promises and steamy hypotheticals.

With Miller’s characteristic stream-of-consciousness monologue style, it’s easy to imagine the lonesome author narrating the letter through his daydreams and fantasies. 

“I feel your soft mouth closing over me, your leg clutching me tight, see you again in the kitchen here lifting your dress and sitting on top of me and the chair riding around over the kitchen floor, going thump, thump.”

Letters could take weeks or even months to arrive and the drawn-out angst of awaiting a reply must have been agony. Compared to the near-instantaneous responses lovers can access now, the wait must have been practically unbearable. Much like the internet, the postal system held many a secret between lovers. Miller was acutely aware of the possibility of a mistaken recipient, remarking

“God forgive me if this letter is ever opened by mistake. I can’t help it. I want you.”

These personal communications rarely appear publically, though Anais Nin’s family saved her personal diary and letters she kept from Henry. They were published after her death as part of an homage to her career in erotic literature. These two authors made their careers pushing the boundaries of published work, and their love lives clearly served as inspiration for their explicit narratives. 

Accessing sex-related media in the form of books, art or film has never been easier. The internet serves as the ultimate platform to create, sell and access pornography, in a variety of forms. From on-demand one-on-one camgirls to archives of homemade and professionally produced pornos, there’s no shortage of explicit material. Before that, however, getting a hold of erotic imagery could be much more difficult.

The Rise Of Printing

People have created, traded and sold nude art for millennia, but nudity often portrayed vulnerability and innocence. It wasn’t until recently, that nudity took on a risque or suggestive side. While there were certainly sexually suggestive artworks available, they were few and far between, and not available for personal collection. It wasn’t until the 19th century that printing duplicate copies of erotic illustrations became practical. Even after the printing press, printed media was difficult to come by and wasn’t part of a mainstream market.

Cultural Constrictions

The regulations regarding published media typically restricted printed works from depicting sex scenes and frequently censored the images. Uncensored publications were more often available through underground networks than from reputable sources.

The 1960s marked cultural shifts that generated more demand for sex-related content. Soon after that, the laws regarding the publication of explicit content shifted to reflect it. Some countries remained quite conservative which led to the development of black market distribution of pornography. Others, like the United States, embraced their new-found sexuality. Whether it’s seen as part of a sexual revolution or a newfound way to objectify and crudely profit from women, the changes were a global phenomenon.

The Golden Age of Print

The 1970s and ‘80s were the height of the X-rated magazine industry, particularly in the U.S. The improvement of printing technology meant better quality images and they were able to be mass-produced and distributed. Playboy, with its iconic bunny ears, sold 5.6 million copies in 1975. It was among the most successful magazine companies, alongside Hustler and Penthouse. Magazines were available for purchase at newsstands and convenience stores, and could even be periodically mailed to your home.

Going Digital

As the internet became more available to the public, sharing erotic material became easier than ever. Printed magazines couldn’t keep up with the accessibility, convenience and prices of online alternatives. Many printed publications, like Playboy, had to shift to online platforms or risk disappearing from the porn industry altogether. Currently, printed editions are available for purchase online but the overwhelming majority of pornographic material is entirely digitally based.

While the centrefolds of erotic magazines no longer fuel young men’s imaginations, those paper-and-ink origins paved the way for the socio-cultural and legal changes that allow digital media to flourish. The dog-eared pages of pornos-gone-by are responsible for some of the biggest shifts in modern attitudes toward sex. So, next time your X-rated video isn’t loading fast enough, imagine the frustration of it getting lost in the mail!

One of my first real dates was with a girl who gave me butterflies. What caught my attention first wasn’t her oh-so-pretty face (though I’ll never forget that cheeky smirk), it was the brightly coloured pants that only she could pull off so well. The softly ribbed texture of corduroy still sends shivers down my spine, but that’s neither here nor there. We went to different schools and were a year or two apart in age but had crossed paths and hit it off. She was so unashamedly herself and I was utterly smitten.

I was young and, although I never would have admitted it then, naive. She had done things I had never even heard of and it made my heart race. I learnt a great deal on our dates. She taught me about sub-drop and aftercare, and what to look out for when seeking a dom/domme. We talked about impact play and sensitivity and bruises. It was sitting in a park that I first learnt about squirting, and I blushed like never before when she suggested a more hands-on approach.

While I can thank her for so my introduction to the kink and BDSM scene, she taught me a far more valuable lesson too. The dates she took me on set the standard so high for all future dates. She treated me like a princess and I had the time of my life doing practically nothing. I learnt how I should be treated and reminded that a date wasn’t an agreement to hook up at the end. Neither of us was looking for something serious but I never felt like a cheap fling to her either. To this day, I have held all of my dates to the standards she set. I am so grateful for her kindess.

Wherever she is now, I send my appreciation and admiration. I hope she is having fun and still rocking those stunning corduroy pants.

Come on in and take a seat in the lounge, let’s design your perfect fantasy. Tell me everything you have ever dreamed of; all the things you’ll do to me, or let me do to you. Once we set our limits and find a safeword, I want to make your wildest dreams come true. We could do just about anything together, we could spend all night acting out your favourite scenes. Splash out on taking me to the Dungeon where I can be your perfect little pet. I’ll be at your mercy whether it’s blindfolded and gagged, tied up or pinned down… There are also toys, whips and paddles available. You could even buy one for me, or keep it as a memento of our time together.

Don’t worry if you’ve never had the chance to take control before, I would love to teach you how to be the very best dom. From how to use the different toys and tools to where I am most sensitive. It’s not all rough, hard and wild, though; sometimes the best kind of torture is the lightest touches. Those soft feather teasers can really make me writhe. Then, trace the contours of my body and feel my heartbeat under your fingertips. Press yourself up against me and listen to me beg for more.

You could see me and my friend and watch us we put on a show for you. We could take turns pleasing you, trying to outdo each other and make you reach satisfaction.

And if hearing me whimper for you isn’t enough, there’s always dirty talk & roleplay. I’ll be anything you want; a naughty schoolgirl, your naive girlfriend, or a delightfully rebellious brat. Tell me I’ve been naughty and give me the punishment I deserve, or that I have been such a good girl to earn your attention.

I miss you already…

Prior to photograph and video content of erotic scenes and stories, written literature was a popular avenue for expressing lustful thoughts. Love letters were exchanged between couples, sometimes including graphic descriptions, drawings or photographs. Yet published works often faced scrutiny and censorship by printing companies and publishers. Despite this, D.H. Lawrence’s 1928 novel “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” shocked the world with its explicit language and graphic descriptions. Lawsuits, book bans and censorship debates ensued and the novel remains one of great controversy.

About The Book

“Lady Chatterley’s Lover” is a tale of forbidden love and sexual awakening set in post-World War I England. The story follows beautiful Lady Chatterley, who finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage to an impotent veteran. Seeking satisfaction outside her marriage, she embarks on a passionate affair with the estate’s gamekeeper.

The Response

At the time of its publication, Lady Chatterley’s Lover was outrageously provocative. The language used was enough to make people blush but the detailed descriptions of sex were almost unheard of in published literature. Over the years, several governments banned the book including the UK, the US as well as here in Australia until 1968. 

Legal Ramifications

One of the greatest changes this raunchy read sparked was the 1960 obscenity trial where the publishing house Penguin Books successfully fought for the right to publish the uncensored edition. Censorship was an ongoing social issue; some feared that unregulated publishing could break down all sense of right and wrong. Others believed that published literature was an extension of freedom of speech rights. Lady Chatterley’s Lover was defended because of its explicit nature and how it symbolised freedom of expression for other topics. The publishing of sexually explicit literature awakened a knowledge of and desire for adult material in the public. Authors were able to broaden their skills and cater to a new and growing audience.

From a publishing industry perspective, “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” marked a turning point in the way adult content was perceived and handled. Having successfully challenged censorship laws, publishers were able to take risks and defend controversial works. Despite the international backlash Lady Chatterley’s Lover received initially, the years that followed saw a huge increase in the amount and intensity of adult novels.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover is among the most influential pieces in publishing history precisely because of its divisive nature. While it remains censored and banned by some countries, its effect on censorship laws paved the way for adult material. Despite its paper-and-ink origins, Lady Chatterley’s Lover remains an important landmark as the sex industry continues to grapple with censorship and social advocacy in the digital age. Without these provocative pages, erotic media in all forms would likely still be subject to even greater censorship laws.

While long-term, exclusive relationships can meet our emotional needs, they come with their own costs. Sometimes it’s more practical to skip the romance and agree upon a strictly physical arrangement. Friends With Benefits, F-buddies and No-Strings-Attached, whatever the title, here’s how to keep casual arrangements from falling apart.

Kicking off a new situation-ship can be a lot of fun, but sooner or later you will have to have an honest discussion about what you are both seeking from it. I opt for having that discussion SOONER. Lay out the ground rules; every dynamic will be different but they usually have a few things in common.

We Are Not Exclusive

There is nothing stopping you from seeing others and the same goes for me. In most cases, I don’t care or want to know about them and I probably won’t want to talk about my other hook ups. If you get serious about someone else, just let me know the deal is off. No hard feelings when the arrangement changes or ends!

When & Where

Depending on the circumstances, we might make some rules about when and where we get dirty. For example, we can hang out with a mutual friend together but we won’t be catching up with each other unless it’s to get freaky. Nothing even resembling a date. You can have those boundaries too! Maybe your place is off-limits because it means meeting your cat, and hey, that’s just way too personal for a no-strings-attached.

This Is Not A Movie

It’s a classic gag; two people become casual friends with benefits and before long, one of them catches feelings. These rules exist to stop that from happening so if you start getting butterflies, take a step back before you find yourself head over heels. This arrangement falls apart if you forget the basic premises; no strings attached!

Don’t Be Weird About It

For whatever reason, this will end and chances are we’ll still be in the same social circles. Don’t overthink things or make them messy. If you have things you want to talk about, we can talk! We are still friends, with or without the benefits. 

Good sex can be hard to come by, and you don’t have to date exclusively to make the most of a good roll in the sheets! Be honest with yourself and your F-buddy, and you might just be able to pull off a no-strings-attached deal.