Amanda Diehl escaped to Boston to get her MA in Publishing & Writing. Though she loves her new home in the Northeast, she will forever mourn the loss of Publix and sweet tea. As for Amanda’s voracious love of reading, she got it from her mama, though her favorite genres are romance, horror, and the occasional memoir. She reviews romance novels for Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, and when she’s able to scrounge together some free time, you can find her napping in front of the TV with the latest trashy reality show or scarfing down brunch-related foods.
Twitter: _ImAnAdult
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When it comes to sexy times in romance novels, clinical and anatomical descriptions can really ruin the mood. So it’s up to authors to work around those sex ed terms and come up with something a bit more creative. Unfortunately, certain words should never be used when describing a character’s bits and pieces. Here at Book Riot, we’ve ranked some of the worst euphemisms in romance novels. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
- Rod – We’re starting off easy. Nothing like a little construction equipment to get the blood flowing.
- Manhood
- Member – It’s always throbbing and it may be a sign of priapism. Get that checked out.
Nub – Can we just file “nub” into the “Least Sexiest Words Ever” folder?
Love button – This isn’t Family Feud.
Steel wrapped in velvet – This is apparently what every penis feels like ever.
Manroot
Sex Missile – Missile, noun: an object that is forcibly propelled at a target, either by hand or from a mechanical weapon. Special thanks to Holley Wesley for her Twitter contribution
Glistening orbs
Sword/Sheathed to the hilt – In case you didn’t know, all vaginas are part of the Arthurian Legend.
Bisected cleft – I feel like this is a math term. Is this a math term?
Quim/Cunny – There’s something entirely too cute sounding about these terms that make me highly uncomfortable. Like these should be the names of plushies.
Intimate folds
Cods – Fish ≠ Balls
Womb – This sounds incredibly painful and, I’m reasonably certain that in terms of actual biology, nothing should be penetrating the womb.
Rosebud
Aching core – The only cores I want to read about are the molten chocolate kind.
Love Canal – Boats pass through canals. Swan boats. Or even regular-sized boats…carrying cargo.
Weeping anything – Because nothing sets the mood like thinking my sex organs are really upset.
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And drum roll, please….
- Honey Pot – Honey makes me think of bees and bears, neither of which I want near my ladyparts.
Have I missed any? Tell me about the most ridiculous euphemism you’ve read!
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