Language and the clitoris
I was having a conversation last night about the plural of "clitoris". I know what the plural of "penis" is - penises.
Is it "clitorises"?
I then began thinking of all the names there are for the penis: cock, dick, knob, willy, rod, bratwurst... :)
What are the alternative names for the clitoris? Are clitorises (?) mentioned in literature and porn? According to etymology online a male anatomist claimed to have discovered the clitoris in the 16th century and called it "the love or sweetness of venus" (bit long-winded). Women knew about it before of course, but what did they call it? Does anybody know?
Language as it exists now developed under patriarchy, and as such words for the clitoris seem to have assumed little importance. There is not even a word for the act of the clitoris being stimulated manually by one's partner. "She/he masturbated me" doesn't seem quite right when you've got "a hand-job" for the almighty penis. (Blow-job. Hand-job. "Jobs". Did these terms originate in prostitution?)
There are plenty of words for the vagina as we all know, sadly. Things like "slit" and "gash" come to mind as some of the worst offenders. Words for the vagina are used with abundance in porn and literature but what of the clitoris? I've heard "button" (bit functional) and "jewel" (bit sentimental). Any more?
The clitoris is of little importance, and as such has few alternative names because, unlike the vagina, men have no use for it.
So, what do you call yours? I'm still trying to think of a nice name for my vagina.
Is it "clitorises"?
I then began thinking of all the names there are for the penis: cock, dick, knob, willy, rod, bratwurst... :)
What are the alternative names for the clitoris? Are clitorises (?) mentioned in literature and porn? According to etymology online a male anatomist claimed to have discovered the clitoris in the 16th century and called it "the love or sweetness of venus" (bit long-winded). Women knew about it before of course, but what did they call it? Does anybody know?
Language as it exists now developed under patriarchy, and as such words for the clitoris seem to have assumed little importance. There is not even a word for the act of the clitoris being stimulated manually by one's partner. "She/he masturbated me" doesn't seem quite right when you've got "a hand-job" for the almighty penis. (Blow-job. Hand-job. "Jobs". Did these terms originate in prostitution?)
There are plenty of words for the vagina as we all know, sadly. Things like "slit" and "gash" come to mind as some of the worst offenders. Words for the vagina are used with abundance in porn and literature but what of the clitoris? I've heard "button" (bit functional) and "jewel" (bit sentimental). Any more?
The clitoris is of little importance, and as such has few alternative names because, unlike the vagina, men have no use for it.
So, what do you call yours? I'm still trying to think of a nice name for my vagina.
posted by jo22 at 11:22 AM
21 Comments:
I know that frig is used in reference to female masturbation, meaning quiver. As for other names for clitoris hmmm got me beat. You are probably right; it has no importance to men so it never developed any other identity. Though I do love that it is the only purely pleasure organ of the human body. Penis envy bah! Clitoris envy more like ;-)
Right-it completely escaped attention, so no names. I'd give anything to know how many straight men don't know what the clitoris is.
Sparkle-Clitoris envy indeed!
SE-I believe many on them think it is in the back of our throat, next to the vulva…sorry I mean uvula ;-)
pleasurenut is a good name
Frig is an ugly sounding word, as is clit. But that's just my opinion.
According to my dictionary, the plural is clitorises.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Liberal dyke hags suck?
Excellent. On it right away.
I've always liked the term 'jilling off' for female masturbation. :o)
jilling off! hehe love it!
Also, I've just found out that the plural of clitoris is apparently "clitorides". No joke!
Clitorides? Sounds like a disease. So even the dictionaries can't make their minds up.
When a man hits a woman, it is called battery.
When a woman hits a man, it’s called empowerment.
When a man deserts his family, he is called a deadbeat.
When a woman deserts her family, it’s her choice.
When a man cheats, he’s a pig.
When a woman cheats, she’s a victim.
When a man goes into landscaping, he’s called a failure because he didn’t become an engineer.
When a woman becomes a hairdresser, she’s a victim because she isn’t paid as much as men.
When a man kills his kids, he’s a heartless murderer.
When a woman kills her kids, she’s a victim of emotional stress.
When a woman doesn’t want a child, she has an abortion because it’s her choice.
When a man doesn’t want a child, he’s irresponsible and is forced to pay child support.
When a women on TV hits a man, people laugh
When a man on TV hits a woman, people sue.
When a woman on TV is portrayed as dumb, the show is sexist.
When a man on TV is portrayed as dumb, we laugh.
When women, who now attain degrees more than men, leave the workforce at 40, it’s her choice.
When a man doesn’t go to college so that he can work in the labor industry, he’s a failure.
Liberals call this progress.
Conservatives think it’s sickening and unethical.
Businesses don’t care because they make money.
I'd like to respond to "Language as it exists now developed under patriarchy, and as such words for the clitoris seem to have assumed little importance. There is not even a word for the act of the clitoris being stimulated manually by one's partner." How about "rub your nub"? "Push your button"? "Flit your clit"? Not "a word" but a phrase in each case, but there is some variety, and this is only the memory of one guy. Surely the patriarchy didn't prevent women from choosing their own terms, even if they might not have been admitted to standard dictionaries.
I don't know if any of you guys and gals saw this:
It is quite amusing regarding 'clitoris envy'.
I came across it, at the same time as this blog, cos I was thinking, maybe clitoris envy is the deep rooted cause of all of the worlds problems...
http://www.laweekly.com/columns/a-considerable-town/clitoris-envy-or-what-i-learned-in-female-orgasm-class/8087/
The beauty the (imagined) possibilities, no envy, longing to get in touch with one. I think of it as a pearl
Sensitive
I always liked the name 'cookie' for a clitoris. Also I think Jilling Off is a great term. Hehe.
The Pearl . . . important in deep sea diving
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clitoris#Recognition_of_existence
No really.
Oh, the idea of men arguing about which one of them discovered the clitoris and who should name it.
I just...just..argh.
Nubbin, trigger, bean, pearl, spark plug, man in the boat, love button, clit, clitty...
Post a Comment
<< Home