Definitions of BDSM terms

A continuing project. I am trying to get consensus on definitions of terms BDSM people use. My intention is to have as open and iterative process as possible and I really welcome other people’s ideas and thoughts – so please do leave your comments and take part in the polls.

All the definitions here have come about following debate on the UK BDSM website “Informed Consent”.

So far, I’ve looked at the following (titles link to fuller articles):

Informed consent in BDSM

BDSM activities must have the informed consent of everyone taking part. All participants should strive to reach a shared awareness of risks and consequences. Consent cannot be given under duress or if any party has mental incapacity or is intoxicated

This poll was first published on 10 July 2015

Brat in BDSM

“A brat is a BDSM submissive who enjoys being mischievous, disobedient and cheeky to their dominant, usually lightheartedly and in expectation of a reaction from their dominant. Brattishness may be temporary or enduring.”

This is the second version of the definition, published 30 May 2014

 

BDSM Protocol

“BDSM protocol is  an enduring, habitual, non-verbal expectation of behaviour that people in a consenting BDSM dynamic do for each other when it is appropriate to do so, as defined by their rules.”

BDSM Dynamic

BDSM dynamic is the way consenting people interact within a BDSM relationship, scene or group

BDSM Slave

“A BDSM slave is a person who has given informed consent to continuing voluntary submission, without limit, to another. The person owning the slave has all the rights of ownership whilst that consent exists”

 

BDSM Submission

“submission in BDSM is present when one person, within agreed limits and having given informed consent, defers to the will of another”.

BDSM Dominance

“Dominance in BDSM is present when one person, has the informed consent of another to be in control of that person within agreed limits and at agreed times as long as that informed consent persists”.•

BDSM Punishment

BDSM Punishment is the use of any BDSM practice but not for the mutual pleasure of both parties. BDSM partners use BDSM punishment to reinforce their dynamic and their roles in the relationship.

If you take part – thank you!

Related articles

• Definitions – so what is a BDSM Slave? (belasarius.com)
• Definitions in general and submission in BDSM in particular (belasarius.com)
• Masters and slaves: attitudes to BDSM symbols of ownership. (belasarius.com)
• Consent and BDSM (houseofvoid.com)
• Black Hippie Chick’s Take on The ABC’s of BDSM (blackhippiechick.wordpress.com)
• Ask An Educator: Fifty Shades of Grey (secretpleasuresblog.wordpress.com)
• BDSM WEEK – GUEST POST: Jack L. Pyke (boysinourbooks.com)
• BDSM WEEK – GUEST POST: Heidi Cullinan (boysinourbooks.com)
• Q: My girlfriend is into BDSM (as a sub), but I have never tried it before. We have been talking about it and want to do it. I have been curious about BDSM for some time, and am actually quite excited to give it a go. I’m wondering if you can provide any (kinkedux.wordpress.com)
• “Domination & Submission: The BDSM Relationship Handbook” by Mike Makai (beyond50shades.com)