IC :
BDSM Dictionary : Perversion: history
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.
Perversion is a derogatory term for deviation from the original meaning or doctrine, literally 'turning aside' from what is perceived to be orthodox or normal. A pervert is a person in a state of perversion. By apocopation a 'pervert' becomes a 'perv'. These terms have two common usages:
The verb form of the term, in conventional use, simply means to turn something away from its natural state (or what is perceived to be its natural state.) For example, one might say that the modern film version of "Romeo & Juliet" "perverted" the story.
Within the BDSM community the term pervert has few if any negative connotations. It is often used ironically in repossession of the term by its objects. So, a BDSM participant might greet another by saying, 'How ya doing, you perv, you?!" This usage change pattern is similar to that used when homosexuals took back the word queer, beginning about 25 years ago.
(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the Perversion article in Wipipedia.)
This entry is published under the terms of the GFDL. People with profiles on Informed Consent can improve this entry: see the BDSM Dictionary help page for details.