Sugaring

[MelissaBaby]

How commonly understood is the term “sugaring?” Would the average reader, seeing it used in a sex work context get its meaning without an explicit explanation?

 

[jaF0]

Never heard of it.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Never heard of it.

Good answer.

Think Sugar Daddy.

 

[SaintCordelia]

I would likely understand from context (but maybe I would like of the wax "sugaring" for a second too). Might be more fun for you to simply be explicit in the explanation if the story allows it.

 

[SimonDoom]

I know what it means, and I'm a Boomer guy. But I think it would be a good idea not to assume your reader knows what it is and to provide at least a hint of explanation.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I would likely understand from context (but maybe I would like of the wax "sugaring" for a second too). Might be more fun for you to simply be explicit in the explanation if the story allows it.

Thanks for your input. I can make it work either way. But I use it in my Mickey Spillane story, so quick and simple seems more appropriate.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I know what it means, and I'm a Boomer guy. But I think it would be a good idea not to assume your reader knows what it is and to provide at least a hint of explanation.

You know the majority of sugar daddies are probably Boomers, right?

 

[SimonDoom]

You know the majority of sugar daddies are probably Boomers, right?

Yes, but the majority of Boomers are not sugar daddies. This, I know. You don't want to write for just sugar daddies. They're a small audience.

 

[NotWise]

How commonly understood is the term “sugaring?” Would the average reader, seeing it used in a sex work context get its meaning without an explicit explanation?

My initial thought was about hair removal. Maybe in context I wouldn't have been confused. "Sugar" was 1920's slang for money. Maybe that's where "sugar daddy" came from.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Yes, but the majority of Boomers are not sugar daddies. This, I know. You don't want to write for just sugar daddies. They're a small audience.

But a lucrative one.

 

[ef_oh_ex]

I have an alternate take on this one. IMO, both Lit readers & Spillane fans are a very worldly & savvy bunch. I'm fairly sure that, if you provide some minimal context, those readers will make the correct inference.

 

[MelissaBaby]

here we go.

Without him, money was a little tight. I didn't want to risk my job with more rule bending at the club, so I started doing a little bit of sugaring. I let a few of my most loyal regulars know I might be available for after hours socializing. They knew the score; a twenty eight year old stripper wasn't giving any pussy to their middle aged asses for free. But I never asked for cash. Sometimes they would leave some on the table when they went home,but usually they brought me gifts. Nice clothes, jewelry, expensive liquor. Jewelry was best. I'd wear it the next few times they came over, then I'd take it to the pawn shop. One time I told one of my sugar daddies that we could hang out and watch some movies together, but that I had a shitty TV. Two days later, a 45 inch flat screen was delivered to my apartment.

 

[PBAnnie]

Thanks for your input. I can make it work either way. But I use it in my Mickey Spillane story, so quick and simple seems more appropriate.

You could provide a brief description of what's going on then give the word as an afterthought..

"...she was layin' it on pretty thick to get some favors, you know, 'sugaring,' but it all blew up in her face and now she's got nothin', nothin' at all."

 

[NotWise]

here we go.

The first sentence sounds like she's doing a little hair removal as a side business.

 

[ElectricBlue]

here we go.

That context worked perfectly for me - sugaring is given an immediate explanation (even though it was pretty obvious in the first place, even if I'd not heard the exact term).

 

[MillieDynamite]

When my wife, Jo, was a stripper, she called it, “Laying on the Sugar.” Pumping up the customer’s ego so he’d slip her more money, hopefully, money she wouldn’t have to share with the establishment. Tell him not to tip her extra right now but to put it in an envelope and slip into the open slit on her car’s window. She’d heat up the lap dances in public, and in the private rooms, she’d give him a condom and rub him with her ass till he exploded.

Always there was the risk the guy wouldn’t do the right thing. But most of the time, the envelopes she handed out came back with some cabbage.

 

[LAHomedog]

How commonly understood is the term “sugaring?” Would the average reader, seeing it used in a sex work context get its meaning without an explicit explanation?

Never heard of it. When I saw it I thought it was some sort of a sexual kink. Sorry.

 

[ef_oh_ex]

That context worked perfectly for me - sugaring is given an immediate explanation (even though it was pretty obvious in the first place, even if I'd not heard the exact term).

I agree.

 

[CyranoJ]

here we go.

I have to admit my mind immediately went to body sugaring, but the in-context explanation works fine.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Hadn't seen it as a verb/gerund before, but the connection to "sugar baby" was an obvious first guess.

 

[gordo12]

Never heard of the term and wouldn't have known. But after reading your paragraph it was clear to me.

 

[PennameWombat]

here we go.

Never heard of the term and wouldn't have known. But after reading your paragraph it was clear to me.

Agreed. The word on its own for that purpose I’ve never seen but the passage made it clear.

 

[lovecraft68]

I know it, but then again my knowledge of escort/sex worker acronyms and terms is better than most because....I'm a perv.

Here's one for people-and try not to cheat and use google.

MSOG

 

[Bramblethorn]

I know it, but then again my knowledge of escort/sex worker acronyms and terms is better than most because....I'm a perv.

Here's one for people-and try not to cheat and use google.

MSOG

My Sexy Old Grandma
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Girl

...Okay, yeah, I had to go to UrbanDictionary for that one.

 

[lovecraft68]

My Sexy Old Grandma
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Girl

...Okay, yeah, I had to go to UrbanDictionary for that one.

There's another one DATY and I actually figured that one out because its an old corny euphemism for a sex act we used back in high school.

The MSOG I knew from how it was originally used...as a sports acronym