Unsexy Words and Phrases in Erotica

Am I the only one who finds certain words and phrases in erotic fiction a real turn off?

In my opinion, there's nothing worse than really getting into a story to be faced with the phrase "thrusting his manhood into her moistness"! Urgh! Even typing that made me cringe! Not only is it unsexy but it's very distracting!

Personally, I prefer quite graphic and, what some would consider, vulgar terms as opposed to the romantic and polite phrases you get in some stories. I suppose there is a time and a place for twee, floral and poetic language but I really don't think erotica is that place!

So lets get a list going! What words do you like and dislike? What is the right context for these terms?

DISLIKE

• Sex - As in referring to a ladies genitals as her "sex". No! It's just wrong!
• Vagina - Waaaay too medical!
• Pink - What are we, 12?!
• Twat - Should only be used when shouting at someone from your car.
• Penis - Again, too medical
• Schlong - Unless you're doing bad german porn impressions, this word should be avoided!
• Manhood - Reminds me of Mills and Boon.
• Crotch - Ha!
• Throbbing - This word makes me want to hurt someone.
• Moist - Ewww...
  

LIKE

• Cock - The harsh consonants make it sound provocative and manly, oh yeah!
• Pussy - I'm not sure how this word became mainstream for the delicate lady parts, but I like it!
• Wet - That's the one! If a woman is 'moist' she's mildly impressed with your skills, if she's 'wet' she's absolutely loving it! That's what we want in our erotica!
• Cunt - Rude, harsh and ever so sexy! Once an out-of-bounds word, it's now been reclaimed, hurrah!
• Dick - Depending on the context, this can be an incredibly erotic word.
  

I totally agree, I've read a lot (and written some too) and there's nothing worse than 2 characters who are apparently have this wild, crazy animal fucking and yet its all, like you say, 'thrusting his manhood'.... who the hell says that anyway?

I once managed to read an entire sex scene without any of the above words (either in your likes or dislikes) according to the story, the characters were left satisfied...... I thought they'd been making dinner. Kinda makes me glad I dont sleep with the people that write that.

I think a good way to judge what phrases or words should be used in erotic fiction is to ask yourself: "Would I say this out loud?" I've been known to edit my own writing (erotic or otherwise) to avoid certain things that I know if I said out loud, would make me look like a complete wally!

Maybe that should be a new writing rule: If you wouldn't seriously say to your partner "I'm going to tempt you with my throbbing member" then don't put it in your erotica!

@ carly

if only there was someway you could tell all the writers that then the erotic book selection would be better for everyone!!

how can we get the message across to everyone!!

I think we may need to set up a charity and work on a major marketing and advertising campaign to get the message out there. Maybe something along the lines of...

• National Association for Better English in Erotica
• Stop "Thrusting Manhood" Now!
• Society for the Protection of Readers' Sex Drives from Rubbish Names for Genitals
• Organisation for the Prevention of Throbbing Member Syndrome
• Sensual Language Awareness Group (One problem, the abbreviation is S.L.A.G.)

We could have t-shirts and badges made and go on marches to raise awareness!

I want a tshirt which says 'Stop his throbbing member'. Do you think we can become a registered charity with government funding?

I hate the use of pussy. Dunno why- I can stand pretty much anything else, but not that word. And why does every chick lit writer (yes, much tamer than erotica, but you can read it at work!) start the sex with 'holding his angry purple errection in his hand'. The bloke hasn't approached me while holding the mini bloke ever, and I've never seen an errection be purple unless you've had a seriously good time the night before!

I think we could blag it! I can do very convincing puppy dog eyes so we'll at least get some free merchandise out of it!

To be honest, I've never seen an "angry" erection. I've never seen a happy one either. Stop making penises all anthropomorphic, chick lit writers! And if it's purple and/or throbbing, I'd suggest seeing your GP as soon as possible!

hehe - what a great thread for inspiration!    This throbbing member is now going to insert all the most objectionable expressions into his posts for the next three days

 Fancy some engorged angry purple love-schlong laydees?  

*snigger*

BBG wrote:

hehe - what a great thread for inspiration!    This throbbing member is now going to insert all the most objectionable expressions into his posts for the next three days

 Fancy some engorged angry purple love-schlong laydees?  

*snigger*

That's the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me! *Swoons*

Andserkiel wrote:

crayola wrote:

and I've never seen an errection be purple unless you've had a seriously good time the night before!

My partner's went purple while I was playing with him in the bath once 0_o It was kinda "angry" looking to be honest lol

I bruised the blokes early on in the relationship  But it got better quickly! And it was only a little purple...

It's the fact that you can fracture an erect penis that's scary!

I agree with all the above words, except I don;t mind throbbing as long as it's not over used!

It's true fact fans:

A penis fracture can occur when there is trauma to the erect penis, resulting in rupture of the lining of the cylinder (corpus cavernosum) in the penis that becomes engorged with blood during an erection. This very painful injury is often accompanied by an audible cracking sound, followed immediately by dark bruising of the penis due to blood escaping the cylinder. In 10 percent to 30 percent of penis fractures, the urethra is damaged and blood may be visible at the urinary opening of the penis.

A fractured penis requires urgent medical attention. Prompt surgical repair of a penis fracture is usually successful. If untreated, the injury may result in deformity of the penis or the inability to have or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction).

I don't even have a penis and I cringed!

OMG i am soooo scared of breaking a guy's dick now!  That sounds truely awful.

Got to agree about the cheesy words in erotica. I have to confess I do really struggle to think of different words for people's bits when I'm writing my stories. There's only so many times you can write 'pussy' and 'cock' without it becoming repetitive! I have been known to use 'sex' - but luckily I think that's the only one on Carly's list I've used - phew!!!

I agree CW, they do get old and you do need to mix it up a bit.  It was that Lisa Rogers on the programme on 4 last night about vaginas that used twinkle!!  Gah!!!  The sex therapist using something even more random was awful too.

 I'm a feminist and you're right, we're reclaiming the word 'cunt' from vulgar use.  G likes 'quim' which is in Chaucer.  we both use 'cock', hate 'dick', too American, and as for 'knob'... no thanks!

Rose 

I agree with carly's use of words in a book, but like Imelda i dont mind the word throbbing,

Throbbing does at least make sense, when a guy is really turned on he does throb, or at least feel as if he is!

Everything else I agree with though. I love using the word moist with my friends though, so many people absolutely hate it! If I was trying to write something sexy then I'd never use it, but I've been known to describe a drink/film/attractive person/piece of food as 'so good it made me moist' just because it's such an awkward word.

I'm fine with pussy and cock, generally don't use dick as I think it can sound either american or juvenile. Cunt I don't generally have the balls (so to speak) to use, I think that's something that girls can get away with more easily. I find it hot when a girl says cunt, I think it shows a lack of inhibitions which is always good news bedroom wise.

Twat couldn't be any less of a sexy word. I reserve the use of twat solely for abuse - as does Carly by the sound of it!

There we go! It suggests something is so pent up it's struggling to escape or be expressed, but it cant so all it can do is powerfully pulsate! Haha, a nerdy explanation, but I do like how it suggests very much wanting some fun!

i quite like the idea of a throbbing cock, you must be doing something right if you can make it throb