Why "smut" instead of "sex?"

[AG31]

There's an intresting thread alive in AH right now called "Minimum Smut." I'm enjoying the thread, but I am wondering why we, who spend a lot of time reading and/or writing erotica, should use such a denigrating term for our core interest? Why not "Minimum sex?" What's going on with the choice of "smut" over "sex?"

 

[Rob_Royale]

Honestly? Just because it's a fun word.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

I call it smut or erotica, depending on how it's written. But it's always been called smut, even romance novels.

 

[StillStunned]

"Sex" is a neutral term, "smut" carries judgment. Except now people have taken ownership of it and proudly proclaim themselves smut writers.

 

[yowser]

You can't do a lot with 'sex.' But 'smut?'

tums, muts, and best of all: 'must.'

 

[Bramblethorn]

I am wondering why we, who spend a lot of time reading and/or writing erotica, should use such a denigrating term for our core interest?

As a direct challenge to denigration. "Smut" is a word that's been used to insult and shame the people who create and enjoy erotica; calling one's own work "smut" is a way of rejecting that and saying "I write the kind of thing you despise, and I'm proud of it."

 

[Ommichron]

The Collins English Dictionary (https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/smut) lists 11 meanings of which only 2 deal with anything other than specks of dirt or soot, plant diseases or trout feeding habits !

Those two very short meanings contain the words "obscene" and "indecent". Make of that what you will.

Personally I find "trout feeding on smuts" to be quite amusing and I will not be using the word "smut" because of the connection with dirt and/or disease.

Have a good one!

 

[WCSGarland]

Well, my wife tells me what I write is smut, so I don't argue with her. I just say, yep, I guess it is.

 

[iwatchus]

You can't do a lot with 'sex.' But 'smut?'

tums, muts, and best of all: 'must.'

All you get from sex is exes

(yes I know I repeated the e, sue me)

 

[crookedletter]

I consider smut almost a genre term. I probably wouldn't use the word to describe what it contains: smut contains sex.

I'd say smut is a subset of erotica that leans heavily on graphic descriptions of sex. The more the smuttier. Smut is erotica but erotica isn't necessarily smut.

 

[MrHereWriting]

You: I write sex.
Reader: Good for you, but I know all about sex.

You: I write smut.
Reader: I'll take one copy and a towel please, and let's keep this dirty little secret between us.

 

[TheLobster]

Honestly? Just because it's a fun word.

Agree; it’s so fetch!

 

[Djmac1031]

Agree; it’s so fetch!

 

[Djmac1031]

What's going on with the choice of "smut" over "sex?"

While relatively low on the social stigma ladder, probably for the same reasons black people embrace the N Word, gay people embrace the F Word (no, not that F Word, the other F Word) and people into sci fi and fantasy embrace the word Geek.

 

[ronde]

There's an intresting thread alive in AH right now called "Minimum Smut." I'm enjoying the thread, but I am wondering why we, who spend a lot of time reading and/or writing erotica, should use such a denigrating term for our core interest? Why not "Minimum sex?" What's going on with the choice of "smut" over "sex?"

Perhaps it's because I'm of the very experienced generation, but I find calling erotica "smut" to be more than a bit sophomoric. I file "smut" in the same folder as "bearded clam", "taco", "man meat", and "pecker". I suppose the title of "smut" spoken by the appropriate character in a story would be acceptable, but not used to describe writing which should at least pass the rudimentary test for literature.

 

[nice90sguy]

German/Yiddish schmutzig -- dirty.

The Woody Allen quote springs to mind: "Is sex dirty? Only when it's being done right."

 

[PrincessArianrhod]

It's a question of presentation isn't it? That's the beauty of language. You can take your smut, lubricate it, and enjoy it in an entirely uncomfortable part of your anatomy.

 

[TheLobster]

You can take your smut, lubricate it, (...)

 

[bitebus]

I used "Smut" in the title of that post because (1) To my understanding, the entire work can be called "erotica," and (2) one of the two scenes I was discussing had no sex (as defined as involving multiple sets of genitals and/or penetration).

I'm sure there's a word I could've used that you would consider more values-neutral, but judging by the replies, "smut" seemed to communicate my meaning well enough.

 

[AG31]

I'd say smut is a subset of erotica that leans heavily on graphic descriptions of sex. The more the smuttier. Smut is erotica but erotica isn't necessarily smut.

The Woody Allen quote springs to mind: "Is sex dirty? Only when it's being done right."

Why are graphic descriptions of sex dirty?

 

[AG31]

I used "Smut" in the title of that post because (1) To my understanding, the entire work can be called "erotica," and (2) one of the two scenes I was discussing had no sex (as defined as involving multiple sets of genitals and/or penetration).

I disagree. I think that a work is not erotica unless it is about sex. "About sex" doesn't necessarily mean graphic descriptions, but if it's not "about sex," then it's regular fiction with some hot scenes.

I'm sure there's a word I could've used that you would consider more values-neutral, but judging by the replies, "smut" seemed to communicate my meaning well enough.

"Sex" is a word you could have used. But this reoply seems to mean that you relegate the physicality of sex to the realm of the dirty.

 

[crookedletter]

Why are graphic descriptions of sex dirty?

They're 'dirty' only in the sense that dirty talk is dirty. Which is to say: fun.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

Perhaps it's because I'm of the very experienced generation, but I find calling erotica "smut" to be more than a bit sophomoric. I file "smut" in the same folder as "bearded clam", "taco", "man meat", and "pecker". I suppose the title of "smut" spoken by the appropriate character in a story would be acceptable, but not used to describe writing which should at least pass the rudimentary test for literature.

I don't really call anything I write, smut, either. Just ignore my tagline. I would consider smut something with pointless graphic sex in it. Like two people getting hot and sweaty, trying to put together something from Ikea, and the moment a shirt comes off, somebody just has to take the other person.

 

[AG31]

pointless graphic sex

If the graphics are done really well, then the point is to write good erotica.