Understand the vocabulary of escorts and sex workers
Vocabulary of Sex Workers
Since the very beginning, the sex industry has used abbreviations and a specific vocabulary to protect itself and make communication smoother. Sex workers have developed a coded language that has become essential for communicating both with clients and within the community.
As a platform created by and for sex workers, we understand how crucial clear communication is to ensure safe, respectful, and fully consensual encounters.
Yet, many clients, newcomers, or simply the curious, are not always familiar with this terminology. To avoid misunderstandings and help everyone enjoy their experiences with confidence, we’ve put together this detailed glossary of terms and abbreviations used by escorts in Switzerland and throughout the sex work industry.
Whether you’re just starting to explore, already familiar with the scene, a regular client, or simply curious about this fascinating world, this guide is here to shed some light for you.
A - B
Abolitionist
Person or movement advocating for the abolition of sex work, considering it systemic exploitation. Often associated with anti-prostitution positions and repressive policies toward sex workers.
Aftercare
Post-intimacy care phase ensuring the emotional and physical well-being of partners.
Anal
Sexual practice involving anal penetration.
Anal Sex
Penetration of the anus using a penis, fingers, or sex toys.
Anilingus
Oral stimulation of the anus using the tongue or lips. Often called "rimming".
Ass To Mouth
Immediate transition from anus to mouth during sexual activity, requiring strict hygiene precautions.
Asexual
A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others. Asexuality is a valid and diverse sexual orientation.
Ball Licking
Licking the testicles, usually as part of oral sex or erotic play.
Bareback
Sexual intercourse without a condom, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
BBW - Big Beautiful Woman
Term for a full-figured attractive woman, often used in pornography or escorting.
BDSM - Bondage Discipline Submission Masochism
A set of erotic practices involving restraint, discipline, domination, submission, and controlled pain.
Blow Job
Oral stimulation of the penis using the mouth and tongue.
Bondage
BDSM practice involving restraining the body or parts of the body with ropes, cuffs, or other accessories.
Boob Job
Penis stimulation between the partner's breasts.
Breath Play
BDSM practice involving control of breathing, done with strict safety precautions and consent.
Bukkake
Sex act where multiple people ejaculate on a consenting person's face or body.
C - D -E
CBJ - Covered Blow Job
Oral sex with a condom, helping to reduce the risk of STIs.
Cisgender
Person whose gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth.
Cock And Ball Torture
BDSM practice involving pressure, impact, or intense stimulation of the penis and testicles in a consensual context.
Companionship
Service providing presence, conversation, and shared moments, not necessarily including sexual activity.
Cosplay
Erotic roleplay where participants embody characters through costumes and accessories.
Cougar
Older woman involved in sexual or romantic relationships with younger partners.
Cuckold
Fantasy where a partner watches their companion engage in sex with another person.
Cum In Mouth
Ejaculation into the consenting partner’s mouth.
Cum In Mouth With Swallow
Ejaculation in the mouth followed by voluntary swallowing of semen.
Cum On Body
Ejaculation onto the body of the partner.
Cum On Face
Ejaculation onto the partner’s face.
Decriminalization
Removing criminal penalties related to sex work to protect the rights and safety of sex workers.
Deep French Kiss
Deep kiss involving the tongue, considered very intimate and passionate.
Deep Throat
Deep oral penetration where the penis reaches the back of the throat.
Dildo
Sex toy shaped like a penis, intended for vaginal or anal penetration.
Dirty Talk
Use of explicit words during sexual activity to heighten arousal.
Doggy Style
Sex position where the receiving partner is penetrated from behind.
Dom - Male Dominant
Man assuming the dominant role in BDSM play.
Domina
Experienced female dominant practitioner in BDSM.
Dominatrix
Woman exercising physical, psychological, or financial domination in consensual BDSM practices.
Double Digit Penetration
Simultaneous penetration with two fingers in the vagina or anus.
Double Penetration
Simultaneous penetration of the vagina and anus with two penises or objects.
Edge Play
Extreme BDSM practice involving physical or psychological limits in a highly safe and consensual context.
Edging
Orgasm control technique of nearing climax and then delaying it.
Electroplay
Use of electric impulses on the body for erotic stimulation in BDSM play.
Erotic Worker
Inclusive term for many sex industry professions including camming, stripping, erotic massage, escorting, etc.
Exhibitionism
Pleasure or fantasy of exposing one’s body or sexual practices to others, often in public or semi-public contexts.
F - G - H
Facefuck
Deep, rhythmical oral sex directed by the penetrating partner's movements.
Facial
Ejaculation onto the face of the partner, often associated with visual fantasies.
Facesitting
Erotic act where one partner sits on the other’s face for oral stimulation.
Female Ejaculation
Expulsion of fluid from the paraurethral glands during female orgasm, also called "squirting".
Female To Male
A trans person transitioning from female to male.
Femdom
BDSM relationship where the woman assumes the dominant role.
Fetish
Sexual attraction to specific objects, body parts, or scenarios considered fetishes.
Financial Domination
BDSM practice where domination is expressed through control over a submissive's financial resources.
Fire And Ice
Erotic play involving the contrast of hot and cold sensations on the body.
Fisting
Insertion of the entire hand into the vagina or anus, requiring preparation and lubrication.
Fly Me To You
Service where escorts travel to meet clients in other cities or countries.
Food Play
Incorporating food into sexual activities to engage multiple senses.
French Kissing
Deep kiss involving the tongue, symbol of intimacy and passion.
Full Body Sensual Massage
Whole-body sensual massage aimed at relaxation and awakening sensuality.
Full Service
Escort service that includes full sexual services, typically involving penetration.
Genderfluid
Gender identity that flows between multiple expressions or identities.
Genderqueer
Gender identity outside the traditional male/female binary.
Glory Hole
Wall with an opening for anonymous sexual interaction.
Golden Shower
Sexual practice involving urination on the consenting partner.
Girlfriend Experience
Service recreating the experience of a romantic relationship with affection, intimacy, and emotional connection.
Happy Ending
Erotic massage concluding with sexual stimulation leading to orgasm.
Hand Job
Manual stimulation of the penis to orgasm.
Hard Limit
Strict, non-negotiable boundary in BDSM play.
I - J - K - L
Ice Play
Erotic play using ice cubes for temperature play and heightened sensations.
Intersex
Person whose sexual characteristics don’t fit typical male or female categories.
Kink
Umbrella term for any non-normative or fetishistic sexual practice.
Latex
Material used in fetish clothing, valued for its tactile and shiny aesthetic. Popular in BDSM.
Legalization
Implementation of laws to regulate an activity, such as sex work in some countries.
LGBTIQA +
Inclusive acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, and others, reflecting sexual and gender diversity.
Lingerie
Intimate clothing designed to enhance the body’s appearance and spark desire.
M - N - O - P
Male Female Female
Threesome scenario involving one man and two women.
Male Male Female
Threesome scenario involving two men and one woman, with varied dynamics.
Male To Female
A trans person transitioning from male to female.
Masochism
Sexual or emotional pleasure derived from receiving pain or humiliation in a consensual setting.
Massage Studio
Dedicated place for erotic and sensual massages.
MILF
Mother I’d Like to Fuck, referring to an attractive mature woman.
Milking Table
Special table with an opening allowing access to a partner’s genitals for stimulation.
Monogamy
Romantic or sexual relationship exclusively between two people.
Multiple Shots On Goal
Term referring to multiple ejaculations in a single session.
Mummification
BDSM practice of wrapping the entire body for total immobilization.
Mutual Masturbation
Partners masturbating together for mutual stimulation and pleasure.
Mx
Gender-neutral honorific used as an alternative to Mr. or Ms.
Natural Pubic Hair
Pubic area left unshaved or minimally groomed, for a natural aesthetic.
Non Binary
Gender identity that does not align exclusively with male or female categories.
Non Monogamy
Relationship model involving more than two partners, openly and consensually.
Nuru Massage
Japanese erotic massage using a special slippery gel, performed body-to-body.
Objectification
Reducing a person to their physical or sexual aspects, explored consensually in some BDSM practices.
OnlyFans
Adult content platform where creators sell photos and videos.
Online Only
Erotic services provided exclusively online, such as video calls or private chats.
Open Relationship
Relationship where partners consent to sexual or romantic interactions with others.
Pansexual
Sexual orientation involving attraction to people regardless of gender.
Pegging
Sexual practice where a woman penetrates her partner anally with a strap-on dildo.
Polyamory
Romantic relationships involving multiple partners with the consent of all.
Pornstar Experience
Intense, scripted sexual experience recreating pornographic scenes.
Public Play
Sexual or erotic activities performed in public or semi-public settings for added thrill.
Q - R - S
Queer
Inclusive term for anyone whose sexual orientation or gender identity differs from heterosexual or cisgender norms.
Rimming
Oral stimulation of the anus.
Roleplay
Erotic enactment where partners assume characters or scenarios to enhance intimacy.
Safe Word
Pre-agreed word used to stop an activity immediately.
Sapiosexual
Person attracted to intelligence, finding intellectual stimulation highly erotic.
Seggs
Playful spelling of "sex" used to bypass social media censorship.
Sensory Deprivation
BDSM technique involving blocking one or more senses to heighten others.
Sensual Domination
BDSM practice focusing on gentle, sensual domination.
Sex Chair
Furniture designed to facilitate sexual positions.
Sex Worker
Inclusive term for anyone engaged in sex work.
Sextoys
Toys designed for sexual pleasure, used alone or with partners.
Skoliosexual
Attraction to people outside the gender binary, such as non-binary individuals.
Snowballing
Act of passing semen from one mouth to another after oral ejaculation.
Soft Limit
Flexible limit in BDSM, explored cautiously with consent.
Spanking
Erotic practice of slapping the partner’s buttocks with variable intensity.
Spit Roasting
Sexual scenario involving simultaneous oral and vaginal or anal penetration by two partners.
Squirting
Female ejaculation during intense orgasm.
Strap On
Harness worn with a dildo for penetration, often by a woman.
Striptease
Erotic dance involving seductive removal of clothing.
Sub
Abbreviation for "submissive", a person who adopts a submissive role in BDSM.
Submission Training
Gradual process in which a person adopts submissive behaviors in a BDSM relationship.
Sugaring
Relationship where an older person provides financial support in exchange for companionship or intimacy.
Switch
Person who alternates between dominant and submissive roles.
T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
Testicle Tongue Massage
Erotic massage focused on the testicles, performed with the tongue.
Toy Show
Erotic show involving the use of sex toys to excite the audience or partner.
Trans
Umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth.
Tromboning
Sexual act combining anilingus and simultaneous penis masturbation.
VIP Service
Premium, personalized escort services for exclusive experiences.
Voyeurism
Sexual pleasure or arousal from watching others engage in intimate or sexual acts.
Water Sports
Sexual play involving urine, also called "golden showers".
Wax Play
BDSM practice of dripping hot wax onto the skin for intense, controlled sensations.
Whorearchy
Concept describing the hierarchy within the sex industry, ranking certain types of sex work over others.
Whorephobia
Stigma and discrimination against sex workers, often based on moral or social prejudices.
69
Sex position where both partners stimulate each other orally at the same time.
A living glossary that grows with you
This evolving glossary is designed to support everyone — whether you’re a sex worker, a curious client, or simply someone eager to better understand this world. The diversity of practices, identities, and desires is a richness we are proud to highlight and make accessible to all. Never forget that the key to a positive experience lies in mutual respect, clear consent, and open communication.
If you’d like us to add new terms or if you have suggestions, feel free to write to us at info@lacompagnie.ch — we’ll be happy to enrich this guide with your contribution.
To learn more about the language used in and around the sex industry, visit:
https://www.nswp.org/sites/nswp.org/files/StellaInfoSheetLanguageMatters.pdf