Words and Phrases Used to Describe Sex

I tend to write a lot in the romance genre and some erotica. In both cases I often need to describe sex in ways that are both varied and stimulating. Depending on how long the scene is this can be a bit challenging. I most often rely on a thesaurus to come up with new ways to describe things but it has its limitations, especially when using it for sex acts and body parts.

This thread is a sort of compendium for all the different ways to describe sex and genitalia.

The quote has inspired this thread. Thank you @oldguynurse.

There are lots of crude ways to describe sex but, as per oldguynurse, lets pepper this thread with lots of delicate phases too

 

Admittedly I don't think I have used any of these in my writing but here are a few

Go to bed
Shag
Get busy
Get lucky
Hook up
Sleep with

 

M.G.

You're new to Hip, but there used to be (from 2 yrs ago back to 12 yrs ago) many more female-lady-type people on here. There's been a dearth of feminine input for the last couple of years. So it's good to see that several of you newbies are of that gender. Without your input from the other side of the fence, things deteriorate. Hopefully you can make friends with them and encourage them to stick around and participate openly. Otherwise the thread will simply fill up with testosterone.

"...go to bed..."

Ah, yes, the ages old "you know what I mean" phrase from when? The 1940's? '30's? Opinion?

".shag..."

Ever so British.

"...Hook up..."

The contribution from the youth of the last 6-7 yrs. Rather shallow, yet at least more descriptive than the older phrases.

--- OGN

 

Actually, I joined about 3 years ago, left last year for personal reasons and then came back recently. My account couldn't be recovered but I go by the same name I had then. Now that account is "Deleted member 315401" and can't be recovered. I will do my best to add my input and encourage others to do the same, lol.

And when I think of anymore delicate phases I will add them here

 

"Groom your poodle? "Always wanted to try that out in a bar to see what kind of response it would get.

 

Lol, probably best you didn't

 

She let him lick the sweet nectar of her climax

 

I guess I didn't see the humor, I just thought you didn't like to eat pussy.

 

I've sure eaten a lot of it. Tangy fun. Even the odd hair in my throat doesn't put me off.

 

Well, ok, I can see that. But did there have to be such a negative term for the usually pleasant activity? I, for one, don't view that female area as ugly in any sense. As to the male, well, let's just say it's well-designed for its function.

But "ugly" on either? Nope.

 

Hmmm, as many of those as I've had my tongue and lips buried in, I don't think the words "sweet" and "nectar" suddenly leap to mind. <grin>

 

What can I tell ya? That's what we call it.

 

You asked for "delicate", not "accurate." And I can't take credit for the term, someone once said it to me when he told me he wanted me to cum on his face.

 

I think being straight forward without leaning on slang can be far more erotic than slang itself.

 

I struggle to find the right way to describe lovemaking as well when I write, mostly because I'm afraid of saying something that would be unintentionally funny when it's meant to be sincere. Whenever I get stuck, I tend to focus my writing on the human mouth and specific sensory experiences rather than trying to find a new way to describe specific actions (external actions aren't my strong suit in writing as much as character inner worlds and the senses).

On an unrelated note, I'm new here and love that there is such a thriving writer's community!

 

I'm in the school of thought that while it is best to focus on artfully crafting your sensory descriptors throughout most of the sex scene, there comes a point where it is impossible to avoid words that are considered vulgar. And so while you may go the whole sex scene using tamed language, a well placed "fuck", "ass", "cock" etc. Does not take away from that sensuality, but adds to it. It reminds you that the thing is really happening, and it's intense, and maybe even vulgar. It takes away the pretense of having to sanitize it without it reading like some kind of unfiltered hard porn.

I also think it's good to play off of the environs and emotions of the characters in the moment to create paralells with the plot and the sexual experience. That can make sex scenes more than just sex scenes, but also have some plot value where the characters develop somehow through the experience they had.

 

Oh I also think metaphors and similes can very easily distract from the urgency that sex scenes should often have.

 

The skill of word usage can create incredible erotic material without slang/four letter words. It's the way one can build tension with description.