Here’s a little verbal stimulation to kick off the week. Etymology is sexy, yo!
Anus: from the Latin anus, meaning “ring”.
Clitoris: from the Greek kleitoris, related to kleiein, meaning “to close”.
Penis: from the Latin penis, meaning “tail”.
Perineum: from the Greek perineon, meaning “empty stems”
Orgasm: from the Greek orgasmos, meaning “to be excited”, “to swell”.
Sex: thought to be from the Latin sexus, meaning “to divide”.
Testicles: from the Latin testis, meaning witness. Possible connection to the Greek parastates, meaning “two glands that stand together”.
Vulva: from the Latin volva, meaning “womb” or “female genitals”.
.Nadine is a sexual health educator, a playwright, poet, burlesque performer, partner and parent living in Ottawa, Ontario. She enjoys candy, fashion and dreck television. She does not care for pants. Photo by Justin Van Leeuwen.
Have a question about sex and/or relationships? Dirty Laundry is my monthly column at Apartment 613. There I dispense advice on all things TMI and share steamy tips about Ottawa's sexiest places and faces. The laundry room is always open, so drop me a line at 
