What’s on tap for the vocabulary post today? Naughty words. I’m saving the expletives post for later, so not that naughty. But let’s just say my mind is always in the gutter. That doesn’t mean that I know all the various terms, slang and colloquialisms to express myself. Or more specifically, my dirty thoughts. 🙂 I have heard LOTS of inappropriate words (I’m friends with a large number of boys) but I don’t always remember what the darn expressions mean when I’m writing. Or reading.
I remember reading one particular erotic novel once where I kept having to ask my husband “Is this really what this term means?” or “I thought this meant…” I was reasonably sure I knew the definition for pearl necklace, but hey, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been wrong! Nope. Turns out, I was confused because some of the terms were being used incorrectly.
Which brings me to the main point of this post. Urban Dictionary. It’s an invaluable resource for erotic writers, especially when you want to include slang terms for sexual acts or descriptions. Now, it can sometimes be a little annoying, as the definitions are submitted by readers, and rated for accuracy & appeal (not EXACTLY Wikipedia-like). But it’s helped me find a number of descriptors, such as a term for a young male prostitute, or an older gay man searching for hookups. It’s use isn’t confined solely to the sexual, though. The site is also extremely useful for any sort of current slang or common texting short forms (for those of us in the demographic that remembers computer memory measured in KB).
Now, as I’ve said, I’m an Urban Dictionary user. My mind is in the gutter. So, the humour in this next little bit is all because I have a dirty mind. In a very innocent surrounding, with some very nice people, someone threw out the term teabagging as a marketing tactic (i.e. using teabags for promotion). Pretty sure I was the only one in the room who had to choke down a laugh… Don’t know what teabagging is? Run on over to Urban Dictionary… run! And if you’re ever in a marketing meeting, don’t suggest it!
P.S. If you’ve read past posts, you may remember me mentioning word of the day. Guess what? You can sign up for Urban Dictionary’s word of the day. Hint: DO NOT use a work email address for this!