~*~ Definitions ~*~

B&D - Bondage and Discipline: A subgroup within D&S which is largely involved in making the submissive physically helpless and applying stimuli which outside of a scene would be painful. See Bondage. See Discipline.

Blood sports: - A group of techniques in which the submissive's skin is broken and blood is allowed to escape. Since the advent of AIDS and the spread of hepatitis, interest in blood sports has declined and those who practice it have developed techniques to protect themselves. The most common blood sport is cutting. See Cutting.

Bondage: A group of techniques for rendering a submissive physically helpless. These include rope ties, handcuffs and manacles, wrapping and mummification. See B&D. See Mummification. See Decorative binding. See Immobilization.

Bottom: A submissive.

CBT: - Cock and ball torture.

Cutting: A technique in which cuts are carefully made in the submissive's skin to produce an aesthetically pleasing pattern and stimulation to the submissive. The cuts are sometimes made into permanent markings by placing sterile foreign substances in them before they heal. See Blood sports.

Decorative Binding: Using rope or cord to compress or tie a portion of the body where struggle will not cause it to tighten or cut into the submissive. See Immobilization.

Discipline: The application of stimuli which, outside of a scene, would be considered painful. Common discipline techniques are whipping, spanking and strapping. See B&D.

Dominant: An individual who accepts the submissive's power and uses it for their mutual pleasure. See Sadist.

Edgeplay: These are particularly dangerous D&S that are looked upon with some trepidation. Because there is no formal 'ruling body' in D&S, what is called edgeplay is up to the individual. Therefore, something that to one person might be considered edgeplay might not be edgeplay to another.

Edgeplayer: A person takes part in edgeplay.
Example: "The guy is a real edgeplayer; he's into heavy bloodsports and asphyxia."

Go Word: A signal by the submissive that everything is all right and you can continue with or increase the present level of stimulation. See Stop word See Slow word.

Golden Showers: A humiliation technique where the dominant urinates on the submissive. Consumption of the urine may be part of this scene.

Immobilization: Using rope or other bondage tools to render a submissive relatively helpless despite his or her struggles. See Decorative binding.

Masochism: The ability to derive pleasure from pain. Derives from the writings of Leopold von SacherMasoch. See S&M.

Panic Snap: A linking device used with cable and chain that allows two lengths to be disconnected even when there is tension in the system. A safety device.

S&M: Sadism and Masochism; A term often used to describe the D&S scene; however, it is falling into disrepute because it is both inaccurate (Dominants are not sadists.) and overly limited (All submissives are not masochists.). See Sadism. See Masochism.

Sadist: An individual who enjoys causing pain in a nonconsensual manner or regardless of the presence of absence of consent. Derives from the writings of the Marquis de Sade. See S&M.

Safe Word: A word or phrase which permits the submissive to withdraw consent and terminate the scene at any point without endangering the illusion that the dominant is in complete control. See Slow word. See Go word.

Scat: A slang term for scatophilia, taking pleasure in playing with and sometimes eating feces. While this is occasionally used as a means of humiliation, it presents a relatively severe health risk, not limited to AIDS and hepatitis.

Slow Word: A signal by the submissive that things are getting too intense and you should change or decrease the stimulation. See Safe word. See Go word.

SAM: Smart Arsed Masochist. A pseudo submissive who attempts to control everything the dominant does. A term of contempt. Example: "She's cute and willing, but she's a real SAM; you will spend most of your time trying to keep her from telling you which whip to use and how to swing it." See 'Topping From the Bottom.'

Scene: The gamut of D&S activities and people considered as a whole. Example: "The scene contains some of the nicest people I have ever met."

Scene (A) An individual session of whatever duration where the participants are in their D&S roles. Example: "It was a tremendously hot scene last night when Master Jim waxed Lisa at The Vault."

Slave: Often used interchangeably with submissive. However, generally reflecting a more intense level of submission or non-sexual or sexual-plus submission. For example, a slave might be someone who remains in a 24-hour-per-day submission and cooks, cleans and, otherwise, takes care of a dominant's house. See submissive

Strapple: An elongated paddle with a bit more flex so that is something intermediate between a strap and a paddle.

Submissive: An individual who gives up power in a D&S relationship for the mutual pleasure of those involved.

Suspension: A set of techniques for suspending a submissive using ropes, webbing or chain so that no part of the body touches the floor. This is a highly specialized technique and great care must be used to prevent damage.

Switch: (Switchable): A person who enjoys both the dominant and submissive roles. A switch may be dominant to one person and submissive with another or may be dominant or submissive with the same person at different times.

Top: - A dominant.

Topping From The Bottom: For a submissive to dictate the precise action in a scene. A term of contempt. Example: "She's cute and willing, but she's always topping from the bottom; you will spend most of your time trying to keep her from telling you which whip to use and how to swing it." See 'SAM'

TT: Tit torture. The term applies to both males and females.

Vanilla: Not in the scene. A term used to describe ordinary, conventional life both sexual and otherwise. While it can be used in a pejorative sense, it is more often used to distinguish between scene and non-scene activities and people. Example: "I have to be careful in my vanilla life that people don't find out that I'm a dominant."