Cum vs Come

[MistressCassy]

Hi everyone,

I did do a search to see what the general feeling is towards the use of "cum" vs. "come" in erotica but couldn't really find anything on here (maybe I was looking in the wrong place).

I would love to know all of your general feelings towards the word usage which the majority of readers of erotic novels tends to prefer.

I have seen both used and get the impression that "cum" is used almost in a more lustful sense, whereas the word "come" more pertains to love stories. There is a very good chance I'm wrong on all counts so would love to hear your feedback.

Thank you for any responses / opinions

 

[lovecraft68]

This has been discussed here before and the consensus is "Cum" is only used to describe the actual substance and come the act.

Example: The way his thighs were trembling told her he was close to coming.

"Oh, fuck, I'm going to come!"

Looking him in the eye, Miranda made a show of slowly licking his cum from her fingers.

 

[ElectricBlue]

It's more a US than English or Australian usage, I think (don't know about Canucks), but cum seems to have started out its usage as just male ejaculate, and come was universal for male and female orgasm.

As Lovecraft notes, the convention is mostly cum = semen, come = orgasm.

In the last five - ten years, though, I'm increasingly seeing cum and cumming as the term for both male and female orgasm. My suspicion (and I'm waiting for lexicologists to prove me wrong) is that cum is actually a consequence of a whole generation who couldn't spell, or it's a texting usage that is creeping into more and more writing.

I recall a thread not so long ago when someone tried to argue that cum was the only correct spelling - someone young, I'm guessing, who doesn't know much about the entire twentieth century. Not sure when I first started seeing cum in erotica - might even be a 21st Century usage only, not sure.

 

[lovecraft68]

It's more a US than English or Australian usage, I think (don't know about Canucks), but cum seems to have started out its usage as just male ejaculate, and come was universal for male and female orgasm.

As Lovecraft notes, the convention is mostly cum = semen, come = orgasm.

In the last five - ten years, though, I'm increasingly seeing cum and cumming as the term for both male and female orgasm. My suspicion (and I'm waiting for lexicologists to prove me wrong) is that cum is actually a consequence of a whole generation who couldn't spell, or it's a texting usage that is creeping into more and more writing.

I recall a thread not so long ago when someone tried to argue that cum was the only correct spelling - someone young, I'm guessing, who doesn't know much about the entire twentieth century. Not sure when I first started seeing cum in erotica - might even be a 21st Century usage only, not sure.

Something to add I suppose is that the average person reading erotica, especially wank material, is not a grammar nazi for the most part. I think if you used cum and cumming not many would get that bent out of shape

However, the trick is to be consistent and don't bounce from come to cum etc...that would be more of an issue.

 

[Voboy]

I used to wrestle with this, but not anymore.

It’s ALWAYS cum now, male or female, wet or dry, noun or verb. To me, it just reduces confusion. Seems like the right word in context, even though some don’t like it (sometimes I don’t either). At this point, I see it as a “consistency” thing. And yes, the puns are flying thick in this post.

See? Did it again.

And again. Everything's a pun when cum is the subject!

In general, I understand Lovecraft’s convention, but it nags at me that two different spellings are used for, essentially, the same context. It seems inelegant, though I admit that’s just a prejudice on my part.

 

[SimonDoom]

I use "cum" as a noun and "come" as a verb.

Ex: He knew he was about to come in her mouth.

Ex: She swallowed his cum.

I prefer to use "come" as the verb because it looks more "right" to me, and I don't like the past tense "cummed" or the participle "cumming." I did a search here, though, and found that there are 2542 stories that use the word "cummed" and over 98,000 (out of 400,000 total on this site) that use the word "cumming." So, it's more common than I thought. If you prefer "cum, cummed, and cumming," you've got plenty of company. But I prefer the more standard "come": come, came, coming, to come, have come.

You can do it the other way, using "come" for both verb and noun, but I think readers are accustomed to "cum" as a noun, and I like it better because it's dirtier and more erotic. I prefer it for the same reason I prefer "pussy" or "cunt" or some other similar slang word or metaphor to "vagina."

 

[lovecraft68]

I use "cum" as a noun and "come" as a verb.

He knew he was about to come in her mouth.

She swallowed his cum.

This is one of those topics that make me try and envision having this conversation at a party...

Hey, Bill, how's the kids?

They're good, how's that new job?

Going well, thanks.

Hey, Julie?

What's up?

Is cum a noun of a verb? How would you spell it if your husband's cum was dripping down your tits?

Slap!

 

[SimonDoom]

This is one of those topics that make me try and envision having this conversation at a party...

Hey, Bill, how's the kids?

They're good, how's that new job?

Going well, thanks.

Hey, Julie?

What's up?

Is cum a noun of a verb? How would you spell it if your husband's cum was dripping down your tits?

Slap!

That's what these boards are for. Nobody can slap me through the computer screen.

 

[SolarRay]

It's really the verb usage that's a matter of personal preference ("come" is never used as a noun):

• "Come" (v) is the grammatically correct one for grammar nazis, etc. Use this if that matters to you. Know that there's a minor risk of anon leaving an angry comment claiming that you're stupid and that everyone uses "cum". Don't let that get to you.
• "Cum" (v) is the slang option, but is widely accepted and seems to be the more popular in erotica contexts. Use this if you're comfortable using the slang everywhere, want to keep things simple, want to go with what's popular/most common, or just because it's your personal preference.

I personally use "come" for the verb and "cum" for the noun. Either of the two options are *totally fine*, just own your decision and stay consistent.

 

[RejectReality]

I personally lean away from using it as a verb and opt for a synonym most of the time. Now that I think about it, I don't use it as a noun all that often either, though more often than as a verb. Most of my usage is in dialogue, rather than narrative.

When you're writing romance, or something dramatic/dark, "cum" as a verb clashes horribly to me. The other tenses are even worse. It's not so bad in stroke stores, but still feels off to me. For the sake of consistency, I decided to follow the widest consensus in all my work, across all three pen names, regardless of tone: Cum is a noun, and come is a verb.

I don't thing the generational thing is going to change that. I've seen a lot of younger writers start out using "cum", but after reading other work, end up arriving at the same idea and change their style. It simply isn't visually appealing in a work that relies on words.

Some do argue that the alternate spelling for the verb is less confusing because it differentiates it from the mainstream spelling. Personally, I think that in an erotica story, where the focus is on the orgasm definition, it's less confusing and visually appealing to have the noun and verb spelled differently. You'll be using those two in close proximity more often than the mainstream and orgasmic definition.

 

[MrKittyLuver]

To me, coming is what you do when you arrive at a location. That word has zero sexual connotations. If anything, using it instead of "cum" looks like you're trying too hard...this isn't the 1800's and you're not Anais Nin. Cum is the result of sex.

As for the generational thing: I'm older than Pac-Man. It seems weird to me that people are trying to act like this is all coming from those darned kids.

 

[Axelotto]

I'm older than Pac-Man too, and I take the opposite side.

Cum was already in use in the last century, along with a host of other stupid names for the same thing, like spooge or choad. It still sounds lame to me, but I've Seen Enough Hentai (and read enough porn) to accept its use. At least we aren't wittering on about 'spend' like faux-Victorians.

'Coming' as the verb form makes sense to me, its 'coming to a climax' shortened. Cum as a noun has been used long enough, as I said, for it to be widely accepted enough that I won't fight it.

 

[Polyacrylate]

I prefer 'cum' as noun or verb. I'm fine with using 'come,' for the act, too, I just think it makes it a little less clear. For example, "Come on and come!" is a bit harder to follow than "Come on and cum!"

Part of my personal preference is that it gives an identical spelling for the noun and verb of a related act. After all, I don't surf in the serf, do I? I don't buckle a backle. I don't picture a pickshture. (Believe me, it pained me to write those).

So why would I come some cum, instead of cumming some cum or coming some come?

 

[SimonDoom]

I prefer 'cum' as noun or verb. I'm fine with using 'come,' for the act, too, I just think it makes it a little less clear. For example, "Come on and come!" is a bit harder to follow than "Come on and cum!"

Part of my personal preference is that it gives an identical spelling for the noun and verb of a related act. After all, I don't surf in the serf, do I? I don't buckle a backle. I don't picture a pickshture. (Believe me, it pained me to write those).

So why would I come some cum, instead of cumming some cum or coming some come?

It's a good question, but as a practical matter, I've never had this problem arise. I frequently use the verb "come' and the noun "cum" and I can't remember any time where it was necessary to use both in the same sentence.

"Cum" is a very specific thing, as I use it. It's ejaculate, male or female. "Come" as a verb refers to the broader act of reaching orgasm. So, they're different things, and as long as the two words aren't pushed up close to each other as in your examples, it's not confusing. I think it's pretty easy to avoid pushing them together, and that solves the problem.

 

[sr71plt]

I'm sure the trend is toward accepting "cum" as a verb one of these days, but most publishers of erotic now specify in their style guides to use "come" as the verb and "cum" as a noun. Can't imagine why, if you are trying to write in the erotica genre, you wouldn't want to adhere to the genre's predominant style.

 

[Polyacrylate]

It's a good question, but as a practical matter, I've never had this problem arise. I frequently use the verb "come' and the noun "cum" and I can't remember any time where it was necessary to use both in the same sentence.

"Cum" is a very specific thing, as I use it. It's ejaculate, male or female. "Come" as a verb refers to the broader act of reaching orgasm. So, they're different things, and as long as the two words aren't pushed up close to each other as in your examples, it's not confusing. I think it's pretty easy to avoid pushing them together, and that solves the problem.

I'm aware I'm being pedantic, but for me it's largely principal.

Honestly, I think I would have been terribly amused if, fifteen years ago, someone would have told me that I would have a strong opinion on this subject.

 

[SimonDoom]

I'm aware I'm being pedantic, but for me it's largely principal.

Honestly, I think I would have been terribly amused if, fifteen years ago, someone would have told me that I would have a strong opinion on this subject.

Heck, I still amuse myself.

 

[PetiteMolly]

This thread makes me sad

I thought coming in here would make me want to cum, but it's had the exact opposite effect.

 

[Polyacrylate]

I thought coming in here would make me want to cum, but it's had the exact opposite effect.

Instead, cumming in here made you want to come?

 

[SimonDoom]

Instead, cumming in here made you want to come?

Bravo. That made my day.

 

[MistressCassy]

I just want to say thank you to everyone for your insights and thoughts. I am still undecided on what is best however I like the different perspectives very much. It's something I definitely will keep looking at.

I am tending to lean towards using cumming and cum for sure in my writing because it just sits better with me. (This will probably change in about 10 minutes though ) Thank you all again!!

 

[Haulover]

I use "cum" as a noun and "come" as a verb.

^^ THIS ^^

</thread>

 

[Hypoxia]

I use 'cum' for sex (verb or noun) in present and future tense, and 'come' for non-sex, ambiguity. or past tense. So, "I'm cumming!"; and "She came hard," not "She cummed hard." But I tend to avoid all forms of 'come' in sexual situations. Too generic. No detail or flavor. Paint the picture, like "Orgasmic screams poured from her," not "She came hard." But "She came and came and came!" is evocative, hey?

 

[JasonClearwater]

I started writing using 'come, coming, came, and cum', then after reading a lot of the work here moved to 'cum, cumming, came and cum' (because saying 'cummed' would have made me feel as if I was writing from a trailer park), and now I'm going back to 'come, coming, came and cum', because I've decided that's my preference.

I'm not sure the readers care.

 

[Rallynoangels]

Cum lowers ambiguity. The following sentences mean slightly different things.

"People cum when they come to Literotica"

"People come when they cum to Literotica"

"People come when they come to Literotica"

"People cum when they cum to Literotica"

Also, "coming close" is commonly used right before "coming" which feels wrong. It should be two deferent words. "coming close to cumming." looks better to me.