We take some time to break down some common swinger lingo and terminology to help you navigate this exciting world of swinging. Of course we throw in a few stories to help spice up this lesson.

While you could go searching across the internet for the definitions to these, we bring them to you in a nice delicious package.

Here are just a few of the terms we cover:

Vanilla
A term swingers use to define those who do not swing. “What are you doing this weekend?” “Oh, going to a vanilla event”. “Say “hi” to your family for me.”  
Vanilla Hunting
Finding random vanillas in real life and chatting them up in the hope of converting them… at least for an evening…
Swinging
The practice of engaging in group sex or the swapping of sexual partners within a group, especially on a habitual basis.
Polyamory
Polyamory is the practice of, or desire for, intimate long term live-in relationships with more than one partner, with the consent of all partners involved.
Unicorn
A single female that typically plays with both the man and woman of a couple however just the women are known to play especially when a couple is new to the lifestyle.
Single Male
The male equivalent of the unicorn, but it is more like a horse. They are everywhere and not hard to find. A dime a dozen.
Cuckold
A male that enjoys watching his female partner have sex with another male or is forced to watch. Often does not participate in activities.
Cuckquean
A female that enjoys watching his male partner have sex with another female or is forced to watch. Often does not participate in activities.
Straight
Someone having a sexual orientation to persons of the opposite sex
Bi-Sexual
A romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior toward both males and females, or to more than one sex or gender. It may also be defined as romantic or sexual attraction to people of any sex or gender identity, which is also known as pansexuality.
Bi-curious
A heterosexual person interested in having a sexual experience with a person of the same sex.
Bi-from the waist up
Kissing and breast play… who doesn’t like boobs?
Play
Doug & Barb from Erotic Adult Travel defined this very well “Sexual activity and/or physical interaction of a sexual nature with someone other than your partner.”
Soft or Soft swap
Anything short of penetration with a penis (kissing, touching, oral, finger banging)
Full or Hard
All on the table (with some rules) but intercourse with each other’s partners is on.
DTF
Quite simply a couple that is Down To Fuck, skip the conversations about the weather and the kids let’s get to business.
No Kissing
Playing without kissing. Some couples feel that kissing is too intimate to share with playmates, and they reserve this for their primary partner only.
Same Room
Both primary partners are in the same room, but on separate beds or whatever furniture they like.
Different Room / Seperate Play
Playing in different a different room from your primary partner. Some feel that this offers each partner the ability to focus on their new playmate without distractions, while others can feel a loss of connection with their primary partner.
Dating Separately
Not only are partners in different rooms, it may not even be at the same time. Sometimes referred to as an open marriage.
Hall Pass
Permission given by one partner to play with another couple or single by him or herself. (event or date separately)
Exhibitionism
Love being watched while performing any type of sexual activity.
Voyeurism
Love watching people have sex or performing any type of sexual activity.
Bondage
The sexual practice of tying up or restraining a partner. Can involve different types of stimulation to the body or not.
Domination
Allowing another person to exert control over you. This can vary from verbal communication to restraints to restrictions on daily activities.
Sado-Masochism
Sadomasochism is the giving or receiving of pleasure from acts involving the receipt or infliction of pain or humiliation.
Bare-backing
Sex without a condom.

Authors

  • Ed Swinger

    Design, Audio, Video, Writing, Voice, Production

    Ed brings extensive expertise in user experience, website design and development, and professional audio/video production. With a background in voice-over work and professional speaking, he ensures every episode meets broadcast-quality standards. Ed executes all technical aspects of production: recording in a dedicated studio designed for optimal sound quality, filming with three Insta360 4K cameras, professional audio processing (noise reduction, EQ, compression, loudness management), and editing in DaVinci Resolve. He’s programmed custom OBS macros that provide professional camera direction without a traditional technical director. Ed’s strength is turning complex technical requirements into seamless, professional execution that makes audience experience effortless.

  • Gemini Generated Image o63uhto63uhto63u e1772846096638

    Research, Writing, Voice, Marketing, Community

    Phoebe holds a BA in Communications with a minor in Small Group and Personal Dynamics. She brings deep expertise in sexual health, relationship dynamics, and non-monogamous relationship structures. As a researcher, she meticulously curates each podcast episode, drawing from medical journals, expert interviews, and her 10+ years of lifestyle research and lived experience. Her communication background allows her to synthesize complex topics and present them accessibly across platforms. She creates marketing collateral, publishes across 8+ social media platforms, manages all SEO optimization, and moderates 3 active community forums where listeners actively seek guidance on lifestyle topics. Phoebe’s strength is taking research and experience, then making it both digestible and actionable for the community.