Glossary of BDSM Terminology |
Frequently people who are just entering the BDSM world need
common terms to be explained. This is something that tends to be taken for granted, as many leather and non-leather people have shifted their vocabulary to be both easily understood
and non-offensive. While very basic - this page may shed some light on
commonly used BDSM Terms.
For a further primer, you may want to check out the Wikipedia Term BDSM - (with caveat -
While it does have some very clear information about many aspects of BDSM, it is still Wikipedia..) Click here - BDSM
While it does have some very clear information about many aspects of BDSM, it is still Wikipedia..) Click here - BDSM
BDSM: Umbrella term used to encompass it's primary aspects of Consensual Bondage/Discipline,
Dominance/Submission, Sadism/Masochism
Consent: The Basis for BDSM Mutual agreement to the terms of a scene or ongoing BDSM relationship.
Cover: a ceremony to acknowledge a person who has been in the Leather Scene for numerous years and
has been nominated and approved by his/her peers, who laud his/her qualities then place a Leather Cap on
their head.
DM: Dungeon Monitor/Master, a person who volunteers to supervise the interactions between participants
at a play party to ensure their safety.
D/s: Domination/submission
Dungeon: Usually referring to a room or area with BDSM equipment. Can be a synonym for "play space."
Endorphin rush: Endorphins are the chemicals responsible for the "high" people often get from activities
such as sex, or high-risk sports, and is the body's response to heightened or intense experiences of certain
kinds. BDSM activities, especially those incorporating a degree of sensation play often cultivate the
endorphin rush as part of their "payoff" to the sub.
Fetish: A specific obsession or delight in one object or experience.
Handkerchief or Hanky codes: visible signs to indicate to others your area of BDSM interest - see our
page on it. Common Hanky Codes
Leather: Frequently refers to people within the BDSM scene. Can be used to differential those who practice
certain hierarchical common and individual protocols.
Munch: A group of people that are into BDSM meeting at a vanilla place. Sometimes this is a club. You
might see an announcement like, "This weekend's munch is at Denny's"
Newbie: Someone new to BDSM.
Negotiation: The mutually consensual discussion/agreements, often spoken, that occur with those who intend to play, prior to
actual engagement in BDSM play.
Play party: A BDSM event involving many people engaging in Scenes.
Protocol(s): Written or unwritten "rules" and guidelines that are followed by Gorean, D/s and M/s leather
players. Sometimes used as the differentiation between "Leather" and "Non-Leather" BDSM people.
SSC: Safe, sane and consensual ~ safe: attempts should be made to identify and prevent risks to health
sane: activities should be undertaken in a sane and sensible cast of mind consensual: all activities should
involve the full informed consent of all parties involved
Safeword - When a participant utters a safeword, BDSM activity stops; either completely or to reframe
and renegotiate the scene. "Red" is the most common.
Scene: Can be used in 2 ways. 1. "a scene" refers to the time period of BDSM activities. 2. "The Scene" refers
to the entire lifestyle of being involved in BDSM
Vanilla: Someone or something not in the lifestyle. Alternatively, sexual behaviour which does not
encompass BDSM activity. The term is sometimes used in a derogatory sense.
Wannabe: Someone who thinks or claims to be knowledgeable about BDSM, but is not. Especially prevalent
with new Doms.
WIITWD: What it is that we do. A broad term referring to all forms of alternative sexuality.
*Adapted and modified from Wikipedia
Dominance/Submission, Sadism/Masochism
Consent: The Basis for BDSM Mutual agreement to the terms of a scene or ongoing BDSM relationship.
Cover: a ceremony to acknowledge a person who has been in the Leather Scene for numerous years and
has been nominated and approved by his/her peers, who laud his/her qualities then place a Leather Cap on
their head.
DM: Dungeon Monitor/Master, a person who volunteers to supervise the interactions between participants
at a play party to ensure their safety.
D/s: Domination/submission
Dungeon: Usually referring to a room or area with BDSM equipment. Can be a synonym for "play space."
Endorphin rush: Endorphins are the chemicals responsible for the "high" people often get from activities
such as sex, or high-risk sports, and is the body's response to heightened or intense experiences of certain
kinds. BDSM activities, especially those incorporating a degree of sensation play often cultivate the
endorphin rush as part of their "payoff" to the sub.
Fetish: A specific obsession or delight in one object or experience.
Handkerchief or Hanky codes: visible signs to indicate to others your area of BDSM interest - see our
page on it. Common Hanky Codes
Leather: Frequently refers to people within the BDSM scene. Can be used to differential those who practice
certain hierarchical common and individual protocols.
Munch: A group of people that are into BDSM meeting at a vanilla place. Sometimes this is a club. You
might see an announcement like, "This weekend's munch is at Denny's"
Newbie: Someone new to BDSM.
Negotiation: The mutually consensual discussion/agreements, often spoken, that occur with those who intend to play, prior to
actual engagement in BDSM play.
Play party: A BDSM event involving many people engaging in Scenes.
Protocol(s): Written or unwritten "rules" and guidelines that are followed by Gorean, D/s and M/s leather
players. Sometimes used as the differentiation between "Leather" and "Non-Leather" BDSM people.
SSC: Safe, sane and consensual ~ safe: attempts should be made to identify and prevent risks to health
sane: activities should be undertaken in a sane and sensible cast of mind consensual: all activities should
involve the full informed consent of all parties involved
Safeword - When a participant utters a safeword, BDSM activity stops; either completely or to reframe
and renegotiate the scene. "Red" is the most common.
Scene: Can be used in 2 ways. 1. "a scene" refers to the time period of BDSM activities. 2. "The Scene" refers
to the entire lifestyle of being involved in BDSM
Vanilla: Someone or something not in the lifestyle. Alternatively, sexual behaviour which does not
encompass BDSM activity. The term is sometimes used in a derogatory sense.
Wannabe: Someone who thinks or claims to be knowledgeable about BDSM, but is not. Especially prevalent
with new Doms.
WIITWD: What it is that we do. A broad term referring to all forms of alternative sexuality.
*Adapted and modified from Wikipedia
Meeting info |