During an online discussion the other day, a contributor used the word “bum”. I recoiled…
For me, a girl is punished on her buttocks, bottom or backside. Occasionally, when I’m writing, her rear or (in terribly formal language) posterior will be being thrashed.
But “bum”? Never: the word feels like slang, entirely inappropriate for discipline and punishment – or, something too childish. Similarly, I struggle (albeit to a lesser extent) with “arse” – being a word that has more sexual connotations in my vernacular. Both can immediately switch off my interest in a spanking story or discussion. Meanwhile “butt” and “ass” sound far too American for me to use in my writing- and our US friends’ “fanny” really doesn’t work in English English.
So, what name do you prefer for said part of the anatomy? And do you struggle with any of the vocab, like I do?
I don’t like “arse” myself, but I live on the wrong side of the pond for that one. “Bum” doesn’t bother me however. “Bottom” is good too.
English is not my native language, so all is good for me. But I use bottom and bum the most. Daddy uses bottom! đ (with and without pun!)
It depends on the context.
âHey, did you hear about Julie getting caned on the bum?â would be fine, as itâs informal.
âBare your bum!â instructed Mr Smith. – I donât like. Doesnât seem appropriate for formal discipline.
My preferred term is bottom. I actually donât mind the US term âbootyâ, either.
I prefer “bottom” as a more formal term, and it’s the one I use most on my blog. “Bum” is more informal and playful, but also more emotionally charged for me, and it’s what my husband and I call it. I don’t care for “butt”. “Tushie” and “heinie” are good for informal use too.
I use buttocks, bottom, and backside when I’m writing. I really, really don’t like bum, arse, tushie or heinie–I live too far across the pond for the first two to feel natural and the last two seem childish. My husband frequently uses ass (er, heh, there is no way of saying that without punning, is there?), but usually when his threats are playful. When he’s being serious, he refers to the implement, as in: “If I have to get the paddle, you’re not going to sit for a week.”
I only use butt in dialogue, i.e.:
“Get your butt over here,” said Jake, snapping his fingers and pointing to an invisible spot on the floor before him.
Mandy moved her hands back over her bottom, nervously eying the cane he held and wringing her fingers as she crept to stand where she was told.
I dislike ..arse…seems way to coarse for some reason….bum..is ok , in a fun situation…but favourites would have to be..bottom…bare bottom..always makes me feel very embarrassed, which is a very good thing..backside.seems a very old fashioned term, and does evoke a very special mind-set.
It depends on the context – as others have said, if it’s one ‘child’ speaking to another, especially if they are working class, then bum or arse would be fine.
If it’s a teacher, something more formal, buttocks, backside, or bottom (with bottom being used for younger girls, or as partial humiliation.
When I am writing, I try to be as historically accurate and elegant as I can, and I refer to cheeks, or ‘lower back’ or one I am particularly fond of, which was used in RL sewing classes around 70 or so years ago (my aunt told me this) ‘widest part’
In writing, depends a bit for me on whether it works in the context of the dialogue/characters . Tend to associate bum and arse with less well developed story telling.
Associate buttocks and backside with a certain amount of distance/objectivity – bottom more sensual or more ritually humiliating.
It totally depends on what mood I’m as far as which word I like to read or hear. Sometimes bottom is THE perfect word, and sometimes butt is. (Sorry, American here, can’t help it!) I do agree with bum seeming very childish. The few times my mind goes to ageplay fantasies, that word will get used a little, but otherwise it doesn’t fit for me.
I say “bottom” or “backside” usually. I’ve seen the term “botty” pop up online frequently and I don’t know the origin of it but it makes me wince.
My favourite is buttocks since it’s the only one in plural and I immediately visualise two separate cheeks, which is much more exciting.
I use bum because bottom makes me shy – so I agree with you entirely.
I tend to go with ‘ass’ because I really don’t know where to turn. I love writing anal-sex stories, but the terminology is⌠ARGH. However, I’m growing like ‘arse’ for it’s gritty British feel. But it really only belongs in very specific stories.
Seat? Rump? Or (my personal favourite) ‘wobblesome cheeks’? ;-P
Happy for mine to be called a bottom (formal and / or patronising), bum (informal and / or patronising), backside (mean / angry), arse (very mean / very angry!) or even botty (sorry!) depending on the context.
Butt / ass / etc don’t really apply, as we aren’t American :-).
I prefer the word bottom. Behind and backside work well also. Even though I am American, many of the slang terms used here, just don’t work well for me. The word “butt” is not one I like to use. I do use the word arse occasionally but not in my writing. I don’t not use the words “fanny”, “hienie” or “tushy”. I use the word ass when speaking often but haven’t used it in my writing.