Glossary of Sex Toys

Adult Sex Toys from A-Z

Anal beads/balls: Anal/vaginal beads look pretty much like a cheap plastic necklace. It gets shoved up your ass or vagina and pulled out as you reach orgasm for an oh-so-awesome sensation.

Arm binders: Heavy-duty restraints, most of the time leather, that bind both arms behind the willing sex victim's back. Some resemble large gloves that pull up over both arms and buckle around the shoulders (no, definitely not suited for fisting - just in case you were wondering). Other arm binders are straps that go down the middle of the back and have attached wrist cuffs, for that extra bit of tightness.

BDSM play: A sexual cocktail for those who enjoy things on the rough side - add the following ingredients to taste: bondage and discipline, add to that domination and submission, with a dash of sadomasochism.

Ben Wa balls: A pair of plum-sized orbs meant to be inserted into the vagina to stir up the sensations - kind of the inverted version of the male testicles.

Blindfold: Up for a bit of power play? This is an easy way to get started with bondage play - the blinded person surrenders to the sexual seduction of the partner by going "blind". Also a great idea if your sex partner is not the most arousing site.

Blow-up dolls: "Not tonight, I have a headache," is a thing of the past. No more lonely mornings after you were too drunk to manage a pickup the previous night out. Blow-up dolls can come complete with a vagina, rectum, penis and mouth - a particularly great gift if you want to embarrass your best mate at his 21st birthday party.

Body bags: Think of it as a large, very large condom that fits snuggly over the entire body. Normally made out of leather or spandex, body bags (also known as sleep sacks) are not the ultimate safe sex solution. Resembling a tightly tailored sleeping bag, body bags takes bondage to the extreme, leaving you with no motion whatsoever. To make things interesting, many have openings for genitals or nipples, so your bottom can be tickled or tortured while you are rolled up tightly.

Bondage toys: If you're into erotic power games, the dominant partner (the top) will make use of gags, blindfolds, and restraints to discipline the submissive partner (the bottom) into subservience - you naughty, naughty boy.

The bottom: The sod at bottom of the sex chain of command - mostly with reference to BDSM relationships. Some people are just suckers for sexual suffering. Yeah, ooh, baby...give it to me!

Bullet: Not the kind that requires arms licensing, and there is also no shooting involved - well, not under normal circumstances at least. This bullet, about the size of a fat thumb, refers to a tiny vibrator that is inserted right into the vagina or anus.

Butterfly: This is a special kind of vibrator that is designed to be worn against the clitoris, held in place by straps - a fanny tickle that is guaranteed to cause a flutter.

Butt plug: Well, more descriptive one cannot actually get. It is exactly what it describes to be - a plug for your butt (with no particular reference to bathrooms). Anal plugs are often the preferred toys for anal stimulation, because they have a cap at one end to prevent the object from being swallowed up and lost in the dungeons of darkness by an over-eager rectum. They are flexible rubber or jelly and range in size from minute to monster. Using a butt plug instead of other objects will prevent a very embarrassing early morning trip to the emergency room. Although some self-made sexperts can be very inventive with substitutions, it is definitely not recommended. Imagine trying to explain just how exactly the soup ladle managed to get stuck up your ass in that particular position.

Clitoral stimulators: Something to tickle your fanny... these are toys specifically designed to come in direct contact with the clitoris to stimulate it in an erotic manner. There is a whole variety of clitoral stimulators available and include the strap-on "butterflies", classic dildos or vibrators with extra clitoral nubs and penis rings with clitoral extensions.

Cock ring/erection ring: No, this is not intended as jewelry for your most prized possession. This is a rubber or metal doughnut-shaped device, or leather strap, that is worn around the base of the penis (and sometimes testicles) to give him a firmer handle on his erections (although some men wear them 24/7). A word of caution - make sure it's not too tight or small that you end up strangling Dick when he gets excited.

Cyberskin(TM): An extremely realistic skin-like material used in many sex toys.

Desensitizer: If he's a premature shooter and you are set on getting more bump for your buck, this is your solution. Also very handy when you get into anal play.

Dildo (or dong): If you are not fortunate enough to have a real penis, i.e. one that is still attached to the man, at your disposal, the second best option is a fake solid penis, or dildo, some resembling the real McCoy complete with bulging veins. Apart from mimicking the real deal, dongs also come in a dazzling array of styles, shapes and sizes. They also come in a variety of materials, including silicone, glass, jelly, and latex. Who said beggars cannot be choosers? However, apart from the slight (debatable) disadvantage of not having a man attached to it, dildos can do the job just as well. Use them in sex play or masturbation, insert them into the vagina, mouth or anus, or if you really want to, of course you can also display it on the mantle piece.

Double dildo: Not quite twins - this model has two penis-like heads on opposite sides of the shaft (no, this one does not exist in real life) to double up on pleasure if you're in the mood for a back to back session.

Extenders/PPAs: If you need to increase your reach, pull one of these over your penis like a condom and vola! Your pride-and-joy now has an orgasmic three-inch dildo on the end - deeper pleasure guaranteed.

Female pumps: Don't get your hopes up - this has nothing to do with increasing your bust size. Also known as clitoris and/or breast pumps, these toys come with a suction cup that is either placed over the clitoral area or the nipple. Once this sucker has gotten its grip, a vibrating stimulator is turned on which then send pulsating vibes to the cup... oh-la-la, suck baby, suck! (or is that pulse baby, pulse!)

Fetish wear: Think leather, think black, think kinky - tantalizing, tempting, erotic wear and alluring lingerie for those who feel the need to seduce while wearing something sexy, or something simply outrageous - usually the case in S&M and bondage play.

Flogger: Pretty much the same as a whip, only with a lot more whack. A flogger has more than one strand of leather on the end to ensure proper punishing - whip that big ass baby!

French tickler: The studded version of the standard condom to give added stimulation to the entire vaginal region during sex. They're usually not certified for birth control or disease prevention.

G-spot stimulator: Dildo or vibrator with a sting - it has a bent tip that is specially shaped to touch and arouse the G-spot when placed in the vagina.

Gag: If your bright idea of stuffing your briefs into your submissive partner's mouth to shut her up is not working, using a gag is definitely recommended. Made from leather or cloth, it is guaranteed not to taste or smell anything like sweaty bum crack.

Harness: In short, it's pretty much the same thing as a cowboy's holster - it just does not hold a revolver, but a strap-on dildo or butt plug instead. (Hey cowboy! If you show me how to cock your revolver, I'll show you how to revolve my cock...)

Hobble skirts: If you're into kinky sex and you don't want your partner to get away from you too fast, put her in this tight fitting leather or rubber skirt. Make sure she wears high heels. Get out the whip and watch her hobbling along.

Hoods: No, it's got nothing to do with Robin Hood and little Red Riding Hood getting down and dirty. These refer to a leather or rubber covering for the head used in BDSM. Some hoods have mouth holes (but not an asshole - it does not go down that far). There are even deluxe models for those with fashion fetishes featuring built-in earmuffs or earphones - also serve to block out all sensory stimuli. Suffer baby, suffer! Almost all hoods do however have nose holes. Pretty obvious.

Jelly: It's not Sunday desert! It refers to a rubbery material used in the manufacture of some sex toys and feels like the chewy, gummy type sweets you loved as a kid.

Latex: The rubbery plastic commonly used in the manufacture of sex toys.

Lubricants: "Slippery when wet" is not a warning in this case. In fact, the wetter, the better. There are a variety of specially formulated emollients (oils, lotions and creams) for use on anything that needs to slip or slide during sex, increasing the comfort factor considerably.

Mask: This is a face covering, normally made of cloth or leather, which is worn to increase the X-factor in "erotic eXcitement" in S&M and bondage play. A word of warning: not a mask to be worn to the annual Christmas ball, or any ball for that matter.

Massage oils: Scented lotions and oils that are used during erotic massages (or therapeutic ones) to spice up your sensual play.

Massager: No, not the guy that's going to give you the time of your life. This is what vibrators used to be called when they were sold primarily to promote muscle massage. However, their use has become far more popular as sensual sex toys - viva for sexual liberation, viva!

Masturbator: These are sex toys used by men to give them a taste of the real thing during masturbation. To increase the "real thing" experience, most masturbators are crafted to look like vaginas (in which case they are called "sleeves" or "penis sleeves"). In some cases a vibrator is fixed in the toy for more penis sensation.

Mummification or cocooning: This is about the most complete form of bondage. A person is wrapped up, usually with cling film limb by limb, so they are completely immobile.

Nipple clamps/nipple clips: One can never accessorize enough when it comes to the sensation sensitive areas of the body. Nipple toys are worn by both men and women and are often attached with a chain.

PC muscle (AKA pubococcygeus muscle): This refers to a sling of muscles that support the pelvic floor and encircles the genitals of both sexes. Exercise it and you may experience stronger and more intense orgasms.

Penis pump: If you're a short dick man and plastic surgery is not an immediate option, this is the tool to pump up your performance. It is a mechanical device that creates a vacuum-like suction around the penis, coaxing more blood into little willy. But don't expect miracles - it only results in a somewhat larger and firmer erection that is temporary.

Penis sleeve: See masturbator

PPAS (Penile Projection Assistants): The best way to launch your rocket much deeper with immediate and guaranteed results. Slide it over your 10cm willy to instantly transform it into a 25cm monster cock. Ideal for those nights that you've run out of Viagra.

Realistic: Yes, let's be realistic - the closest most people will ever get to shag a porn star is if they buy a mouded sex toy version of an actual porn star's penis or vagina, called a realistic.

Restraints: Anything that is used to tie down your partner during bondage sexual play - ropes, silk scarves, handcuffs, ribbons...

Riding crop: If you like to ride a penis like a pony, this small equestrian whip used in sexual power play is just the thing for you.

STIs (sexually transmitted infections): Something you don't want to end up with if you've cheated on your partner - or at all for that matter. It is any disease that's transmitted during sexual intercourse (anal, oral or vaginal). Such diseases include AIDS (HIV), Chlamydia, genital herpes genital warts (HPV), gonorrhea, hepatitis B, crab lice, syphilis and trichomoniasis.

Sexual aid (AKA sex toy): The generally accepted term for any device used for sexual stimulation.

Silicone: The cashmere of sex toy materials - it's nonporous, has great texture, can be moulded in stunning detail, is hypoallergenic and retains body heat.

Strap-on: A penis-envy lesbian's favourite sex companion - a dildo or butt plug inserted into a plastic or leather harness to wear on your hips, thigh, pelvis, chest or even your face to penetrate a partner. The strap-on can allow more realistic intercourse than hand-held toys. Men can of course also use this - imagine how much fun you can have with two dicks.

Swing: In this case swing does not refer to partner swopping sex parties. This is an actual swing that hangs from a high-strength spring and rotating eyebolt (usually included), from a ceiling which allows the users an incredible range of new and exciting sexual positions. The seat, back and stirrups are padded for your comfort, and the instruction manual suggests many sexual positions. Just make sure you hang it from a secure and strong enough place.

Titilizer: The kind of sexy breast jewellery you would want to wear looped around your nipples if you want to play up your cup size to warm up your sexual partner.

Tongue: This is a vibrator shaped like an extended human tongue (fascinating, isn't it?) with the advantage of not being attached to a nervous partner. So, you can stick it in any sexually stimulating orifice for as long and deep as you want. It also moves at variable speeds.

The top: The person who takes control in BDSM (see above) sexual relationship - in other words, the one that cracks the whip and punishes the pussy.

Vaginal stimulator: See masturbator

Vibrator: It's all in the name - any sexual toy that vibrates, in most cases at varying speeds, and the easiest tool for a woman to reach orgasm with when used on the clitoris. Vibrators sometimes also resemble gyrating dildos which can be used anally and vaginally, and some even have an attachment for simultaneous clitoral stimulation. For the more discerning sex toy shopper who prefer something more discreet or less frightening, there are vibrators that look like lipsticks, butterflies and even seashells (easy to slip into the handbag to carry around unobtrusively for those quickie sessions during your lunch break).

Whip: The general term used for a sex toy used to discipline or strike a partner for erotic sensation (see floggers, riding crops).