How did these lovely devices we have come to cherish so much come to be called “sextoys”? To be honest I am not to sure since I can’t seem to find the information, but I am sure it has some funky origins within the latin language.

To start Wikipedia defines it as such;

A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used to facilitate human sexual pleasure, such as a dildo or vibrator. Many popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genitals and may be vibrating or non-vibrating. The term can also include BDSM apparatus and sex furniture such as slings, however it is not applied to items such as birth control, pornography, or condoms. Alternative expressions include adult toy and marital aid, although “marital aid” has a broader sense and is applied to drugs and herbs marketed to supposedly enhance or prolong sex. Sex toys are most commonly sold at a sex shop.

The types are as endless as there are cars in the world. You have dildos, vibrators, penile items, glass items that look so good you could classify them as art. There are things for your nipples, stuff for your butt and the area in between. Items for penetrative or external stimulation, erotic furniture, or items improvised in your own garage with parts from an old car or household appliance. There’s even electrostimulation. The point here is if you have an imagination or particular taste, you’ll most likely find it or make it yourself.

I could go on here and will in another discussion, but what I want to talk about is how did they get to be called sextoys? Think about it! At the the beginning of the 20th century and even slightly before in the 19th century, women were being treated for “hysteria” during a trip to the local doctor’s office. Bluntly put, they were being masturbated with a pelvic massage – performed manually, until the patient reached a “hysterical paroxysm”. Rather hilarious choice of words for the female orgasm, of course aptly named by a man! I wonder what it was like for men having their daily dose of “hysterical paroxysm” back in the day?

At any rate you can well imagine what this was like for these doctors day in and day out, manually rubbing one out for the women they saw. THEY GOT TIRED! Yes since it was not perceived as anything sexual or related there of, quite the opposite, according to medical journals, most complained that it was tedious, time-consuming and physically tiring. For this was the Victorian era, a time of invention in the industrial age and why not get the job done quicker? I know what most women here are thinking as they look to the ceiling and roll their eyes! Round the middle of the 19th century experiments were being done to create the worlds first vibrator; therapeutical aid. First a wind up, then water powered, then steam and finally electrical. I wouldn’t say that any were very practical from a portability stand point, but supply and demand would shorten the time it would take for them to develop smaller portable versions that would replace the refrigerator sized power houses that most doctor’s offices had in their possessions.

Business boomed and by the turn of the century 50 plus varieties were on the market. Women using vibrators to alleviate the “hysteria” they “suffered” from, in a therapeutic manner, termed the by the medical profession. However when vibrators appeared in early depictions of pornography they suddenly took a back seat to public acceptance.

Was this the epiphany society needed to realize that “hysterical paroxysm” was actually an orgasm regardless of the fact that they originally believed that it could not be a sexual thing since no penetration was taking place? It wasn’t till the 60’s that the vibrator re-emerged in an assortment of colours, sizes, shapes and functions.

Society’s perception of the vibrator was forever changed. Even during my talks, lectures and product seminars, I am continually reminded that my choice to use the term therapeutical aid can only be applied if done through the medical profession. Why? Isn’t orgasm therapeutical, relieves stress, anxiety, brings people closer together, a great method of weight loss, is healing, and fun?  Clearly it’s here where the term sextoy comes into play for these “aids” subconsciously changing society’s perception of sex, and sexual health and healing. I want people to be able to think for themselves and always question and leave it up to the individual to decide what they wish to call it. Personally I find myself switching between the two terms for whatever mood strikes me!

Just saying!!