Sexual slang
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| + | [[Image:The Seashell 1912) - Odilon Redon.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''[[La coquille (The Shell, Odilon Redon)|The Shell]]'' ([[1912]]) by [[Odilon Redon]]]] | ||
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| - | http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=cfUkWcMYwYY&feature=related | ||
| - | [[Pum Pum]] by [[Lee Perry]]. [[Sexual slang]]. | + | Sexual slang is a set of linguistic terms and phrases used to refer to sexual organs, processes, and activities and generally considered "improper". Some of these add sexual meanings or referents to words that have non-sexual meanings in ordinary language, such as "pussy" or "gash" for [[vagina]], "prick" or "cock" for [[penis]], "nuts" or "balls" for [[testicles]], etc. Occasionally proper names are used as well for these purposes, e.g. "dick" or "johnson" for penis. Different cultures and languages use different everyday words for sexual purposes. Thus ''Eier'' (eggs) in German is a common slang word for testicles, but "eggs" does not commonly have this referent in English. |
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| + | 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). | ||
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| + | While popular usage is incredibly 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]],'' and ''[[fuck]]'' should not be considered "[[slang]]," since they are the inherited common English terms for their referents, but they are often considered improper and replaced by euphemisms or scientific terminology in "polite" language. | ||
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| + | Examples are: snatch, pussy, cock, dick, twat and/or others are used as sexual slang for the names of male and female genitals. | ||
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| + | ==Pejorative usage== | ||
| + | [[Term of disparagement|Slur]]s 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]]'' may be used as a self-description by homo-, bi-, or transsexuals, but can also be used as an insult by those seeking to deprecate such persons. 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]]'' have no male equivalent (though they are increasingly being applied to men as well as women, and while ''[[skank]]'' generally refers to a low class of woman, it is sometimes used to refer to a man). | ||
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| + | 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). | ||
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| + | == Sexual slang and humor == | ||
| + | :''[[dirty joke]], [[erotic folklore]]'' | ||
| + | In the popular [[wikt:jargon|jargon]] of many [[culture]]s, 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 [[comedian]]s who indulge in sexual humor, from [[George Carlin]] to [[Kevin Bloody Wilson]] to [[Andrew Dice Clay]], reflects the appeal of this form of [[Speech communication|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" [[word]]s in [[public]]. | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Baseball metaphors for sex]] | ||
| + | *[[Putting the devil in Hell]] | ||
| + | *[[Sexual symbolism]] | ||
| + | *[[Sexual slur]] | ||
| + | *[[Sexual euphemism]] | ||
| + | * [[Urban Dictionary]] | ||
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Sexual slang is a set of linguistic terms and phrases used to refer to sexual organs, processes, and activities and generally considered "improper". Some of these add sexual meanings or referents to words that have non-sexual meanings in ordinary language, such as "pussy" or "gash" for vagina, "prick" or "cock" for penis, "nuts" or "balls" for testicles, etc. Occasionally proper names are used as well for these purposes, e.g. "dick" or "johnson" for penis. Different cultures and languages use different everyday words for sexual purposes. Thus Eier (eggs) in German is a common slang word for testicles, but "eggs" does not commonly have this referent in English.
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 incredibly 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, and fuck should not be considered "slang," since they are the inherited common English terms for their referents, but they are often considered improper and replaced by euphemisms or scientific terminology in "polite" language.
Examples are: snatch, pussy, cock, dick, twat and/or others are used as sexual slang for the names of male and female genitals.
Pejorative usage
Slurs 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 may be used as a self-description by homo-, bi-, or transsexuals, but can also be used as an insult by those seeking to deprecate such persons. 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 have no male equivalent (though they are increasingly being applied to men as well as women, and while skank generally refers to a low class of woman, it is sometimes used to refer to a man).
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).
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 Kevin Bloody Wilson 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.
See also
- Baseball metaphors for sex
- Putting the devil in Hell
- Sexual symbolism
- Sexual slur
- Sexual euphemism
- Urban Dictionary
