cover image The Contemporary Dictionary of Sexual Euphemisms

The Contemporary Dictionary of Sexual Euphemisms

Jordan Tate. St. Martin's Press, $14.95 (114pp) ISBN 978-0-312-36298-0

Camel toes, pearl necklaces and laying pipe-seemingly innocent phrases which have been appropriated into the sex slang of the day-all make appearances in MFA candidate Tate's slim, salacious reference. Though far from complete (Wikipedia and urbandictionary.com both have more comprehensive collections), Tate's efforts are notable and his delivery welcoming, even when his subject matter turns toward the ""infrequent, impractical, and violent."" Entries include the aforementioned pearl necklace, the literal meaning of which also graces the cover, as well as more obscure terms such as ""George Walker,"" for ""any predisposition to anal intercourse,"" and ""postman,"" which refers to ""coitus outdoors in any inclement weather."" Each entry includes both literal and figurative meanings, as well as thorough etymologies, and Tate also includes some occasionally amusing, G-rated photos of a few terms' more mundane applications (such as a young woman lifting up a rug to hide a salami beneath it). Though these photos don't add much besides page count, this graphic work should be a hit among adolescents and the college set, whose dog-eared copies are sure to make the rounds at school.