BDSM Terminology Explained

[ AB/DL ] An acronym for Adult Baby & Diaper Lovers where the giver is an adult caring for the receiving who is roleplaying as an infant or toddler. Also known as Paraphilic infantilism.

[ Anal Play ] A term used for activities that involve stimulation of the anus. Examples will be anal penetration with a finger, prostate toy massager and pegging with the use of strap-ons.

[ Bondage ] A restraining activity that involves ropes. Other words that surround it are ‘Shibari’ which means ‘tie’ & ‘Kinbaku’ which means ‘tight-binding’ in Japanese. Popular for its art form. Requires hours and years of practice to master floor works or suspension.

[ Breath Play ] Also known as Erotic Asphyxiation. A risky activity that intentionally cuts off oxygen supply through choking, smothering, suffocating, facesitting and other acts.

[ Clothed Female Naked Male ] Also known as CFNM. During play, females will be clothed and males will be naked.

[ CBT ] An acronym for Cock and Ball Torture. It involves the torture of the male genitals for gratification, which includes inflicting pain or discomfort on the penis and testicles. Examples will be ballbusting or wearing devices such as chastity cage or humbler.

[ Corporal Punishment ] An activity that involves punishment by physical pain with or without using tools. Examples will be flogging, slapping, spanking, paddling and whipping. A popular activity in judicial caning resembles Singapore’s popular prison rattan rotan/cane or Asian way of behaviour correction.

[ D/s ] An acronym for Dominant/submissive where there is an exchange of power dynamics involved.

[ Electro Play ] An activity that involves electricity on the body to create different sensations. There are safety precautions to take note and they should never be used on people with pacemakers, other medical implants or who have any type of heart condition.

[ Feet Fetish / Feet Worship ] One of the most common fetishes involves fixation of feet, toes and ankles. This particular preference for feet can vary from person to person. Also known as foot partialism/podophilia.

[ Hard Limit / Soft Limit ] Hard limit is a BDSM term that refers to boundaries or issues of prohibited activities. Soft limit refers to activities that involve subtle boundaries which may be attempted with caution.

[ Impact Play ] Similar to corporal punishment where physical pain for the gratification of either one or both parties is involved.

[ Medical Fetishism ] A fetish that is medical or clinical in nature. A hospital or medical scene is often created to act out specific or general medical fetishes.

[ Mummification ] An activity where the receiver’s body is completely physically restricted and immobile. One may be partially or fully wrapped in materials such as duct tape, bandages, body bag and plastic wrap.

[ Nipple Play ] An activity that inflicts pain or intense stimulation on the nipples or breast of the receiver. It can be with a flick of the finger or using toys such as nipple clamps or pumps.

[ Needle Play ] The act of manipulation or stimulation of permanent piercings to insertion of play piercing needles or recreational acupuncture to form patterns. It is placed through folds of skin all over the body.

[ Orgasm Control ] An act to control the orgasm of a partner. Other terms that surround it are “Orgasm Denial”, ‘Tease and Denial’ or ‘Tie and tease’ which involves the tying up of a partner and bringing them to the brink of orgasm by stopping and denying them an orgasm.

[ Pet Play ] A form of roleplay where at least one participant plays the part of a non-human animal by entering the altered mind space.

[ Role Play ] Also known as fantasy play where there will be scenarios or scenes which involve acting, costumes and props. Essentially, each person pretends to be someone or something they aren’t.

[ Safe Word ] A code word, series of code words or other signal used by a person to communicate their physical or emotional state. It is used to pause or end the activity/scene. Commonly used safewords are by the traffic light system: Green – Go, Yellow – Slow Down, Red – Stop.

[ Sensory Deprivation ] A practice that makes people focus on other senses by depriving or overloading them with one or more senses. Common examples will be removing the sense of sight by using blindfolds, masks or hoods. It can also include depriving or overloading the receiver’s sense of taste, smell, hearing and touch.

[ Sissyfication ] An act that involves crossdressing a male wearing female clothing. Another term is called ‘Feminisation’.

[ Sounding ] The act of inserting a medical probe is called sounds. It is a metal rod that is inserted into the male urethra to receive pleasure.

[ Temperature Play ] A sensual play where objects and substances are used to stimulate the body’s neuroreceptors for heat and cold such as using candle wax or ice cubes.

[ Tickling Fetishism ] A fetish where individuals get aroused by the sensation of being tickled, tickling others, or watching someone get tickled. Also known as ‘knismolagnia’.

[ Total Enclosure Fetishism ] A fetish where whereby a person becomes aroused when having their entire body enclosed in a certain way. It can be wearing a spandex zentai suit, latex rubber suit, gas mask or even being in a stuffed toy/animal suit. It can be regarded as claustrophobic to some but those who are into it feels that they transform into another being or an object.

[ Trampling ] An activity where a receiver is being crushed underfoot by the giver. It can be barefooted or with shoes such as heels or boots.

[ Watersports / Hardsports ] Watersports is a form of play involving bodily fluids such as saliva spit or urination (a.k.a golden shower). Hardsports involves defecation (a.k.a scat/brown showers). Roman showers involve vomit and ruby showers involve menstrual blood.