The Garden :: Petals and Thorns

BDSM Glossary Su-Z

Suspension Bar	A short bar, often made of metal and which may be straight or slightly curved, with a mounting point in the center and additional mounting points designed for rope, chain, or suspension cuffs on each end. A person is bound to the suspension bar, which is hung from an overhead point by means of a cable or chain connected to its central mounting point. May often be used in conjunction with a lift, winch, or pulley system such that a person may be bound to the suspension bar and the bar may then be raised or lowered.
Suspension Cuffs	Any restraints designed to encircle the wrists, ankles, hands, or feet and designed in such a way as to distribute the wearer's weight so that the wearer may be partially or completely suspended from the cuffs. Some suspension cuffs contain an integrated panic snap.
Suspension Frame/ Suspension Rack	Any frame, rack, or similar structure designed for the purpose of suspension. Common configurations of suspension frames include an open "box" with mounting points along its upper edges, in which a person can be suspended so that the person hangs horizontally within the box; a rectangular upright frame, from which a person may be suspended with rope or suspension cuffs; and a long wood or metal pole, supported by two legs on each end, from which a person may be suspended by ropes.
Suture Play	The practice of temporarily suturing or sewing parts of the body, particularly the genitals, for sexual gratification. Forms of suturing include sewing the labia closed and sewing the foreskin of the flaccid penis to the scrotum. Commentary: An unusual practice that may not safe unless done by a skilled and knowledgeable person.
Street walker / SW	Prostitute
Swaffelen / zwaffelen	to hit one's penis—often repeatedly—against an object or another person's body, frequently the cheek and usually while erect or semi-erect
Switch / Dominissive	1. A person who is active on both "sides" of the spectrum in the BDSM lifestyle. This person, according to his or her own beliefs, values and emotional needs, will choose to be either Dominant or Submissive in different situations. Switch-hitter. A person who alternates both roles, either from person to person, scene to scene or within a scene. 2. A thin, flexible rod, often made from a green branch of a tree such as a willow tree, used for striking people; similar to a cane.
Sybian	One popular variety of commercially-available fucking machine consisting of a dildo affixed to a dome-shaped saddle which the user sits on.
Tack Bra	An article of clothing consisting of a bra with inserts, often made of leather or heavy cloth, through which a large number of thumbtacks or similar pointed objects have been pressed. The inserts are placed in the bra with the points facing inward, so that when it is worn, they press against the skin of the breast, creating constant sensation.
Takedown Play	A specific form of resistance play in which the dominant person attempts to tackle and pin down the submissive partner while the submissive partner resists. Often, but not always, the conditions of play are such that the session ends when the dominant partner pins down the resisting partner, and/or once the resisting partner is physically pinned, the dominant partner may have sex with the resisting partner without further resistance.
taken in hand / tih	The person who follows orders and decisions made by the HOH in a DD relationship.
Taken In Hand/TiH	A type of Domestic Discipline. A monogamous, heterosexual relationship which is male-led. The female submits to her male partner's decisions in matters of everyday life.
Tampon training	Rectal insertion of tampons by male submissives to empathize with the female menstrual cycle.
Tape Gag	the use of adhesive tape sealing the mouth shut.
Tattoo	Tattoos on almost any part of the body are common among BDSMers. There are two basic types: a. Traditional, with outlines in black filled with color and consisting of a name or picture. b. Tribal, usually in solid black forming a pattern. The tribal, or pictograph tattoo is becoming more popular as a symbol of a long standing/permanent collar, instead of a name. Frequently, the back of the neck, or the shoulder blade are tattooed as a symbol of ownership. A permanent form of “marking the submissive” as property.
Tawse – Tawes/Ferula	The original Scottish tawse was used to discipline naughty school boys. It is a thick leather strap with one or more slits cut into the business end. Scottish for "thongs of a whips".
Taylor Hammer	A common medical instrument consisting of a triangular rubber hammer attached to a metal handle, used for testing reflexes by tapping just beneath the knee. Sometimes used for percussion in the BDSM community.
Tease and denial; Orgasm denial	Stimulating the genetalia until the bottom is ready to orgasm, then refusing the final orgasm.
Teaser/Tickler	a toy used in sensation play that uses soft feathers to give light, gentle sensations.
Teledildonics	relating to any form of sex toy or fucking machine designed to be operated remotely, as by radio, over a computer network, and so on.
Temperature Play	A form of play where hot and cold objects and substances are used to stimulate the body with heat and cold for sensual effect.
TENS Unit	Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation unit. An electrical device which applies electrical signals through pads affixed to the skin, commonly used in the medical community to relieve pain by blocking the transmission of pain impulses through the nerves.
The Leather Pride Flag	Flag born May 28th 1989. Designed by Tony Deblase, then owner of the company that produced Drummer magazine, it consists of nine equal horizontal stripes, black and royal blue, with one white stripe in the center. In the upper left corner is a large red heart. "I will leave it to the viewer to interpret the colors and symbols" Mr. Deblase said. "For the 20th anniversary of Stonewall, I felt that the times was right for the Leather men and women, who have been participating in these same parades and events more and more visibly in recent years, to have a similar, simple, elegant banner that would serve as a symbol of their own identity and interests." The first prototype was displayed at the International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago in 1989. The design was well received, and before anyone could think of modifications, or even a need of, it was everywhere and remains today.
The Lifestyle	When used with "the" it usually refers to "the leather lifestyle". meaning people who embrace aspects of leather culture in their dress, sexual politics, social commitments, traditions and/or sex lives. "Being in the lifestyle" is not the same as being a lifestyler (one who is in a 24/7 D/s relationship)
The True Way / One Way	The theory that the only way to do BDSM is the way that someone else specifically follows.
Thigh Cuffs	A simple belt around the waist with connectors around it to restrict the submissive’s movement of arms and legs.
Thlipsosis	paraphernalia or fetish of pinching others or being pinched resulting in sexual arousal, may be fingers, clamps, forceps, or CBT crushers.
Thud	The feel of being hit by an instrument such as a truncheon or wide falls on a flogger. Opposed to Stingy. A sensation of heavy, dull impact. Usage: The feeling caused by being struck by a flogger is usually described in terms of thud or sting. Commentary: All other things being equal, a flogger with a large number of lashes (def. 2) produces a sensation with less sting and more thud than a similar flogger with fewer lashes; a flogger with narrow lashes produces a sensation that is more sting and less thud than a similar flogger with wide lashes; a flogger with soft lashes (as with a flogger made with lashes of suede or deerskin) produces more thud and less sting than a similar flogger made with stiff lashes; and a flogger with braided or knotted lashes produces more sting than a similar flogger whose lashes are not braided or knotted.
Thumb Cuffs	Made of metal similar to handcuffs. Like all metal objects use with care to prevent nerve and bone damage.
Tickling	A torture technique. To cause jumping movements, cause laughter. Commonly done with a feather.
Tightlacer	One who practices lacing
Time Lock	Any mechanical or electrical locking mechanism designed to release itself automatically after a certain amount of time, often used for self-bondage. Time locks may be as simple as a key frozen in a block of ice so that the key is inaccessible until the ice melts, or complex electromagnetic locks that work with batteries and electronic timers.
Tit Torture/TT	The act of causing deliberate physical pain to the breasts and nipples.
Titleholder	A person that has won a leather contest in the BDSM community. Commonly an ambassador of good will and one to promote BDSM in a positive light.
TNG	The Next Generation. A tag commonly used by groups and organizations which cater to younger people involved in BDSM, typically ages 18–35. Compared with Old Guard
Toilet Slave	Someone who has a fetish for role playing as the Dominant's toilet, possibly ingesting the Dominant's waste.
Tolley-Boy	A locking chastity belt made in England of rubber-lined stainless steel.
Tomcat	type of whip consisting of a non-rigid handle similar to the handle of a bullwhip or snake whip which ends with a number of narrow lashes similar to a flogger.
Toothpaste play	Smearing or dripping toothpaste on the genitalia of a submissive. The ingredients in toothpaste create a sensation of heat.
Top	1.The person that controls the action in a physical S&M scene, as distinct from psychological domination. One who controls a BDSM scene, may or may not be a D/s Dominant. Usually the "Doer". Top and its compliment bottom are two terms coined in the last two decades to designate the 'agent' and 'patient' roles respectively in an SM scene while avoiding the loadedness of the existing terms like master-slave. They can be used just in relation to the scene itself and don't imply anything about the participants' regular practice, though they are also used to describe people who typically take one role or the other. Also may not imply role-played domination and submission but just who does what to whom. May not indicate a long term D/s relationship. 2. The "do-er" in anal intercourse, penetrating the bottom, but it should be remembered that some tops like to get fucked too.
Top Drop	The rebalancing of hormones after reaching Top Space in a BDSM scene. May be accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, physical pain, and lethargy
Top Space	To be in Top space is to be entirely absorbed in being a Top; sinking so deeply into a scene to be almost trancelike.
Topping from the bottom	a bottom who purports to be a submissive but who nonetheless wants to direct the top. Frequently a negative term. A submissive trying to dictate the terms of the relationship.
Top's Disease	Refers to the clueless attitude some tops or dominants develop when their egos get so big that they offend and insult others. One form would be the delusion that being dominant means one has the right to command all the submissives one meets. Another is the delusion that the top is infallible.
Total conversion / ouchless ouch	Whips strokes or corporal stimuli delivered during an erotic scene that begins light and rises gradually. The level of sexual arousal is always kept at a high enough level so that the blows are never experienced subjectively as pain.
Total Power Exchange / TPE	A Master/slave relationship where the slave holds no right of refusal and have yielded all personal power to the Master/Owner for an indefinite duration.
Toy	1. A tool used to give pleasure or pain. 2.A person who enjoys being treated as an object for another’s pleasure, a sex toy, for example.
Trainer	One who teaches a submissive new skills. Not always the submissive's Dominant.
Training	A scene or ongoing process and effort of teaching-learning between a Dom/me and submissive in pleasing the Dominant, how to act, and new techniques through discussion and discipline. Also guiding a bottom’s body to accept different conditions.
Training Collar	A collar given to a submissive in the early stages of a BDSM relationship (particularly a TPE relationship) when the submissive and the dominant are still exploring the possibility of a committed relationship
Trampling	A type of Edge Play. A Dominant or top, usually female, walks on, jumps on and crushes a submissive or bottom, usually male with full or partial weight. The top may be barefoot or in heeled shoes. A type of humiliation play. This practice is dangerous and communication is important.
Tribute	Money or gifts given to a Domme by her submissive as a salute to her beauty, dominance, and skill.
Triple Penetration	Simultaneous penetration of mouth, vagina, and anus, either with toys, partners or a combination.
Triple Weave	A flashy flogging technique involving the use of a flogger in each hand. The floggers are swung in an alternating overhand/underhand pattern; each flogger moves in a circle on each side of the wielder's body.
Troll	Similar to the regular troll, this one joins BDSM sites because they believe that kinky people are sluts and they can get easy sex. Often claims elaborate titles, lots of experience and training in “European Houses”; quickly shows they have no actual experience in BDSM.
Tube Gag	A tube gag uses a tube instead of a ring. It allows easy breathing, but not much access to the mouth. It is also possible to have a tube through the ball of a ball gag.
Tweezer Clamps	A type of nipple clamp consisting of long, thin, tweezer-like clamps made of flexible spring steel, with a ring which can be used to adjust their tightness. Commentary: Among the mildest of all forms of nipple clamps, typically causing little or no pain.
Twitchy Palm	A cheeky term used for a Dominant who wishes to spank a submissive, indicating their palm is twitchy from wanting to spank.
Twoo / Twue	A derogatory term for those that believe there is one ‘true’ way to do things, the kind of people that will say you are not a true submissive if you do not immediately fall at their feet, or you are not a true Dom if you don’t chase them around with a whip 24/7.
Uber-Dom(me)	A dominant with an over the top dominant attitude – a bully. Often tries to ‘dominate’ everyone in the room, demands titles and honorifics, touches without permission, etc.
Uber-Slave	A slave with an over the top submissive attitude. Tries to submit to everyone in the room, tries to outdo other subs, the slaviest slave that ever slaved.
Ugol's Law	A law first stated by Harry Ugol in the Usenet newsgroup alt.sex.bondage which holds that if there's some kink you have or something turns you on, no matter how strange or bizarre it may be, you're not the only one who has that kink.
Under Consideration	Consideration is when the person receiving/having power is still considering or deciding whether to accept the lesser-power partner to a closer, more important, or more responsible (etc.) position or relationship: slave, 24/7 or collaring are common.
Unicorn	Usually a single, submissive, bisexual female, who enjoys playing with couples without making emotional demands. Hard to find, harder to capture, like a mythical creature. In the BDSM community a unicorn is typically the third person in a threesome.
Uniform Play	Any of a wide variety of different forms of role play in which the wearing of uniforms, such as military uniforms, is a significant part of the role play.
Urethral Play	The introduction of either soft or rigid items into the meatus of the penis or bladder. May include catheterization or sounding.
Utility D/s	A type of D/s centered around using the submissive in utilitarian capacities; for example; the submissive may kneel and act as a table for the dominant to eat from, and so on. For people involved in utility D/s, sexual submission may or may not be a part of the relationship.
Utility Gag	A specific type of gag which has a special attachment point for various types of accessories, such as feather dusters, drink serving trays, ash trays, and so on. Used as a part of forniphilia or humiliation play, or to make the wearer into a tool during utility D/s.
Vacuum Bed	bondage device composed of a latex envelope spanned by a frame. A suction pump removes most of the air in the envelope. The person inside the envelope breathes through a tube.
Vaginal Hook	A smooth metal hook, usually about an inch thick and six to eight inches long, designed to be inserted into the vagina. The other end typically is bent into a loop into which a rope can be tied.
Vampire Glove/Cat's Paw	glove with tacks or spikes sticking out of it for use in sensation play
Vanilla	Descriptive of people or activities not active in the BDSM scene. Frequently derogatory but sometimes purely descriptive. Also, “’nilla”.
Vault Horse	A specific type of spanking bench shaped like a gymnast's horse but equipped with straps or cuffs. A person may be bent over the vault horse and restrained in order to be spanked.
Verbal Bondage	form of bondage and is sometimes helpful in training submissives. It involves putting a bottom into some suitable position (hands-on-head or kneeling for example) and then ordering them not to move on pain of your displeasure or punishment. The only thing binding them is the top's command. and their desire to submit.
Vibrator	A vibrating dildo or massager.
Vincilagnia	Sexual arousal from tying up or otherwise physically restraining a partner.
Violet Wand	High voltage but very low current electrical stimulation toy with glass cylinders. Provides a shock sensation and creates electrical sparks. Never use above the waist or with main powered devices. A device used for electrical play consisting of a handle, which contains a high-voltage coil called an "Oudin coil," and several interchangeable electrodes, most commonly made of glass and filled with a gas which glows a brilliant purple in the presence of an electrical field. Commentary: One of the most common and safest of electrical play devices, the violet wand works by creating a strong static electrical field on the electrode. The violet wand feels nothing like you might expect, and almost everyone I know, including people who believe they would hate anything related to electricity, wants one once they've felt it. Violet wands are often referred to as Tesla coils, though this is technically not quite accurate; an Oudin coil operates on similar principles, but the primary and secondary windings of an Oudin coil share a common core, while a Tesla coil is air cored.
Viper	An instrument used for striking a person, consisting of a rigid handle and a small number of narrow, flat lashes made of thin rubber, each of which tapers to a point at the striking end.
Voyeur	One who is excited or aroused by watching others, particularly in a sexual context or while engaged in sexual activity.
Wanker	Commonly found at play parties. Is usually a male stroking/playing with his penis and usually has a goal of cumming. Yes there are women wankers as well, just very rare.
Wannabe	A disparaging term for a person, usually a self-identified dominant, who is inexperienced yet assumes knowledge or experience far exceeding his or her actual degree of expertise. Usage: An insulting term which indicates disrespect or contempt on the part of the speaker for the person so named. Commentary: Such people, because of their lack of experience, may be dangerous.
Warm Up	The period at a beginning of a BDSM scene which involves gentle play, allowing the bottom to begin endorphin production, enter subspace, and undergo physiological changes (such as bringing fluids to the surface before impact play) that will accommodate more intense play.
Wartenburg (Wurtenburg) wheel	the original concept and design of a wartenberg wheel or medically known as the neurological wheel was the ingenuity of the great Dr. Wartenberg. His brilliant device was used to test the nerve reactions as it glided across the skin. Also called a pinwheel; may have sharp or dull spikes. Hedgehog.
Water sports / Urolagnia / Golden Showers	Any play involving urine, frequently urinating on the body, face or mouth of a bottom or submissive. Used in humiliation or primal/animal play. Frequently a limit.
Wax	Soy or paraffin candles that burn between 120 °F and 135 °F that cools quickly on contact.
Wax Play	Wax play is utilized by many couples for enhancing their play. Candle wax, dripped onto sensitive body areas, such as the nipples, chest, or groin can be intensely stimulating for couples who have a greater pain tolerance. The sensation of the hot wax, running down and hardening into a semi-soft shell can be very erotic. The heat from the wax also serves to intensify the sensitivity in and around the area if the wax is not too hot. May be sensual or painful depending on the height from which the wax is applied.
Web	Used in bondage to tie the submissive in a specific position. Commonly made of rope or chain in the design of a spiders web.
Weekend Warrior	Those that wish to experience BDSM sensations only in the bedroom or at a “play party.”
Weights	Heavy devices often attached to the penis, testicles or nipples to stretch them. Play in which weights are suspended from tit clamps, permanent or temporary piercings, a ball stretcher or attached to the labia or cock. The aim may be to actually stretch a part of the body, to increase pain or as part of a competition.
Western Bondage / Fusion Bondage	a style of rope bondage developed mainly in the USA, it combines decorative elements with purposeful tying. Western Bondage often incorporates Chinese Knotting and typically uses synthetic fiber rope such as twisted or woven nylon or multifilament polypropylene. Typically uses one rope.
Whip	An instrument with a long flexible striking surface with a more ridged handle used for corporal punishment striking with such an implement; lash, Whipping: binding the ends of a cut length of rope to prevent fraying.
Whipping Post	A fixed upright post, often made of wood and secured at the base so as to be immobile, to which a person may be bound and then whipped or flogged.
White Knight	A Dominant who has a desire to “rescue” “‘damsels’ in distress”; submissives who have serious emotional problems, usually caused by traumatic experiences such as an abusive childhood, relationship, or rape. While the White Knight’s motives are certainly commendable, often such problems are too serious to be dealt with by a well-meaning partner. Good motives could be (or become) codependent behaviors, harming the White Knight and enabling, rather than helping, his or her partners.
White Lightning	A common nickname for a white fiber glass or resin rod often with a leather or rubber handle that is used as a cane. Being much more dense than rattan, it can inflict deeper damage and the feel is described as “cutting.”
Whitehead Gag	Two hinged metal frames that wrap around the front of the patient's head and which have sections bent to fit between the front teeth. When spread apart, the frames separate the jaws, holding the mouth open. The desired degree of separation is set and maintained by a ratchet mechanism on each side of the frame.
Wiffle Gag	A type of gag which has a hollow ball, usually made of hard plastic, with many holes in it that is held in the wearer's mouth by straps, and permits the wearer to breathe through the ball while wearing it.
WIITWD	An acronym meaning 'What It Is That We Do", a shorthand for the entire spectrum of BDSM-related activities.
Wolf Collar	A type of collar featuring long spikes, usually made of metal, which project outward when it is worn.
Wooden Horse	An implement consisting of a wooden plank supported edgewise between two upright fixed posts, which a female submissive straddles and is bound in place. The plank is at such a height that the submissive's weight is not borne by the plank so long as she remains standing on tiptoes; as her legs tire, she will eventually have no choice but to lower herself onto the edge of the plank, which is extremely painful.
Wooden Pony	An implement consisting of a wooden plank supported edgewise between two upright fixed posts, which a female submissive straddles and is bound in place. The plank is at such a height that the submissive's weight is not borne by the plank so long as she remains standing on tiptoes; as her legs tire, she will eventually have no choice but to lower herself onto the edge of the plank, which is extremely painful.
Workshop	A place one goes to learn from an expert about a subject, technique or type of play. It might also include a demonstration, hands on experience and books or hand outs.
Worship	1. Revering the body, part of the body or the person of a Top. It may involve washing, massage, kissing, grooming, and similar activities 2. Paying specific attention to a person or body part in a focused, subservient manner, usually engaging the emotions of the bottom.
Wrapping	If your strokes are not accurate, or if you are not careful, the ends of the flogger or whip will 'wrap' around the sides of the body, landing in places you did not intend. Due to laws of physics, as the flogger wraps, the speed with which it travels increases geometrically. This is the same effect, which allows the tip of a single-tailed whip to exceed the speed of sound, producing that sharp supersonic crack we all know and love. If the flogger wraps the body, you greatly increase the risk of causing harm to the bottom.
Wrist binder	Wide handcuffs, may be specially reinforced for suspension play. Manacles
Yoke	A restraint device consisting of a metal bar or wooden plank, often about three feet long, with a locking cuff for the wrist on each end and a locking collar in the middle.
Zapper	A red stick, sort of like a very low-level cattle prod. It appears to cause about as much pain as those fly zappers that look like tennis rackets.
Zentai Suit	A skin-tight full-body suit, often made of Spandex or a similar breathable material, that includes a full hood, most often without openings for the eyes or mouth. Such suits are often worn as part of a sexual fetish.
Zipper/Zip Strip	A series of clothespins along a length of string or yarn, then placed on parts of the body and removed either one by one or all at once to produce various sensations, usually pain.