Erosophia

Category: Etymology

  • On Homophobia

    by Jason Stotts I think the topic of homophobia is fascinating, because I think all too many people misunderstand what homophobia means.  Most dictionary and common-use definitions consider “homophobia” to be a fear of, or aversion to, homosexuals.  I, however, don’t think that’s quite right. I think the term “homophobia” is great.  It is a…

  • Polyamory is Wrong!

    by Jason Stotts I saw this come across the twitter earlier today (via @kellyelmore79) and several people were kind enough to forward it to me as well. I think it’s one of the best things I’ve seen in awhile. I share this etymological worry myself.  As I said in “On Polysexuality“: What I am interested in analyzing…

  • Sexual Etymology

    by Jason Stotts Last year I started a weekly segment called “Sexual Etymology.”  In it, I went through words related to sex and took a look at their etymological origins to see if these origins could inform our current understanding of these words and their use. Unfortunately, in the move from Blogspot, I forgot about…

  • Sexual Etymology: Sadism, Masochism, and Candaulism

    by Jason Stotts Today’s words are all etymologically interesting as they are not derived from other languages, but as a reference to the names of their originators. Sadism – the enjoyment of another’s pain or suffering, usually in a sexual context.  The name is a reference to the Marquis de Sade, author of 120 Days…

  • Sexual Etymology: Ejaculate and Cum

    by Jason Stotts There are many words in our language to describe orgasm, but two of the more etymologically interesting are “ejaculate” and “cum.” Ejaculate – 1578, “emit semen,” from L. ejaculatus, pp. of ejaculari, from ex- “out” + jaculari “to throw, dart,” from jaculum “javelin,” from jacere “to throw.” Only other surviving sense is “exclaim suddenly” (1666). (ejaculate) Interestingly, until…

  • Sexual Etymology: Hymen and Orgasm

    by Jason Stotts In this week’s edition of Sexual Etymology, we’re going to be looking at “hymen” and “orgasm. Hymen – 1615, from Fr. hymen (16c.), ult. from Gk. hymen “virginal membrane, thin skin.” Originally any membrane; present specific meaning begins with Vesalius, 1550. Hymeneal “wedding hymn” is 1717, from L. hymenaeus, from Gk. hymenaios “belonging to wedlock, wedding, wedding…

  • Sexual Etymology: Fellatio and Cunnilingus

    by Jason [Note: today’s words are from Etymonline.com and not Chambers, since Chambers didn’t have these words listed] Today’s words are the technical names for “blow job” (fellatio) and “eating out” (cunnilingus). Fellatio: 1887, from Latin fellatus, pp. of fellare “to suck,” from PIE base *dhe- (see fecund). The sexual partner performing fellatio is a fellator;…

  • Sexual Etymology: Penis and Vagina

    by Jason Stotts In this week’s edition of Sexual Etymology, we’re going to look at the origins of the words “penis” and “vagina.” I think you might be somewhat surprised at what we find. Vagina: (n.) passage from the uterus to the vulva.  1682, New Latin, from Latin vagina (sheath, scabbard) perhaps cognate with Lithuanian vozti…