It’s about time you stop giving that old, passé nudge-nudge, wink-wink when talking about sex.
Sex “norms” transport us to a time when we had to be extremely cautious about our actions and words on the topic around youngsters and the elderly. And it was often so hard to say the word ‘sex’ itself. But guess what – there are codes you can use when talking about sex, ones you’ve probably never heard of or even seen in dictionaries.
Some are downright filthy, while others are only innuendo that individuals use when they want to sneak away, but don’t want to alarm the entire office, gathering, or family meal. Although there are numerous synonyms for sex and sexy that you may already be familiar with, we’ve curated a list of innocent-sounding code words that you may use to tell your partner the next time you want to sneak away for a quickie.
1. Afternoon Delight
Nope. It’s not pastries and tea. Although afternoon delight sounds like a late-afternoon sweet treat, served with a cup of tea, I assure you it has nothing to do with either tea or baked pastries. The Starland Vocal Band released a single in 1976 with the title “Afternoon Delight.” The song, which makes sly references to “afternoon joy” or casual midday sex, became popular. The term “afternoon joy” has gained widespread recognition as a euphemism for a midday sexual encounter, frequently in place of or in addition to scheduled events, as a result of the song’s popularity.
2. Diddling
If the word masturbation seems a little overwhelming for you, by all means, feel free to diddle! Diddle can refer to both wasting time and defrauding someone of a significant sum of money. No, not in this instance. It’s actually a funny way to say masturbating when the word is used to describe “moving back and forth in a quick motion.”
3. Toma
Toma is derived from the common Spanish verb tomar, which means “to take.” Toma can be used as the imperative “take (something)” or as the grammatical phrase “he/she/it takes.”
Toma is a slang term that is primarily local to Cuba and parts of South America. Pitbull, a Cuban-American rapper, uses the word “Toma” in a sexually explicit context in the song “Toma,” which he co-wrote with rapper Lil John and published in 2004. “Abre las pierna’/y dale toma!” which means ‘Open your legs and take it!’ is how the song’s lyrics, are translated.
3. Smoosh
Smoosh is a nice sound. It makes us think of cuddly puppies with smooshed faces. However, this term can also be used to refer to two bodies “smooshing” together when performing an act. Given that the official definition of “smoosh” is “to mash or push, especially to push down or in,” this makes sense.
4. Milkshake
In 2003, Kelis released “Milkshake,” which later that year reached its top position of #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Milkshake is obviously a metaphor or euphemism, yet the exact meaning is unclear, as Kelis is singing about a woman who men find alluring. Given that Kelis also sings about how she could “teach you” about her superior milkshake, some people think the song’s title, milkshake, alludes to oral sex. Others believe that the milkshake represents her breasts. After all, since the 1910s, the term “milkshake” has been used to refer to “breasts” – strange, huh? However, milkshake can mean a lot of other things. Use it however you want, but just make sure it’s sexual, okay?
5. Twig-n-berries
Twig-n-berries immediately conjures up images of a beautiful, natural setting. However, the berries and twigs are just being used symbolically. This term, which first gained popularity on college campuses in the 2000s, refers to a man’s erection. Not as picturesque now.
6. Kitty
Nothing is more adorable than a cute, lively kitten, but this isn’t about the feline. Kitty is a variation on the word pussy, which may have come from the Old Norse word puss (meaning “pocket, pouch”). So, a kitten, in sexual terminology, refers to a woman’s vagina.
7. Bread and Butter
You’ll probably never see this the same way again. In the 19th century, shacking up was sometimes referred to as “bread and butter.” When someone was discovered physically on top of another, this was something that was said in England.
8. Shake the Sheet
Speaking of “the sheets” – the common phrase “between the sheets” has long been a giveaway that someone wants to have sex. However, the expression was to shake the sheets back in the 1500s. A play on the phrase “mediaeval sort of dance” was made here. Shake the sheets without music was the phrase used by those who wanted a little extra to let the other person know that there would be more going on than just dancing.
9. Boom Boom
While the exact origin of the term “boom-boom” is unknown, it most likely developed during the Vietnam War. Sad to think that because of their “poor English language proficiency,” prostitutes may have started using this word with American servicemen. Anyways, it’s not wrong to use it as a sex code now.
10. Nooky
I kinda find this a bit cheesy. The phrase “nooky” may seem like a more recent invention, but it is actually thought to have been coined about 1925. Although the exact origin of the word is unclear, it is thought to have begun with the Dutch verb neuken, which means “to have intercourse.” And after all these years, the saying has managed to endure.
11. St. George
In the 1800s, a woman on top during intercourse was referred to as St. George (or riding St. George). It is said to have started with artwork in which St. George was seen “riding a dragon.” I guess you have your own dragon to ride now.
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