Dildo
- For the Canadian town, see Dildo, Newfoundland and Labrador. For the Florida Key, see Dildo Key, Florida
A dildo (or dildoe, a rare alternate spelling) is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for bodily interaction during masturbation or sexual intercourse. It has been reported that the per capita ownership of dildos has increased from 0.6 in 1972 to 3.1 in 2004[citation needed], attributed mainly to the sexual repression over the last few decades coupled with the use of cheaper rubber materials and cost reductions due to economies of scale.
History
Giant stone dildos have been recovered during archaeological digs. Dildos in one form or another have likely been present in society throughout history. Artifacts from the Upper Paleolithic which have previously been described as batons, were most likely used for sexual purposes (Marshack 1972: 333; Vasey 1998: 420). However, there appears to be hesitation on the part of archaeologists to label these items as sex toys, as one archaeologist put it "Looking at the size, shape, and—some cases—explicit symbolism of the ice age batons, it seems disingenuous to avoid the most obvious and straight forward interpretation. But it has been avoided." It is conceivable to argue, however, that Paleolithic woman found some measure of comfort in the massive stone batons whilst the men were off hunting wooly mammoth.(Taylor 1996: 128 There have been many references to dildos in the ethnohistorical literature, as well as, figuratively, in the Bible (see Ezekiel 16:17).
Etymology
The word "dildo" is possibly a bastardisation of Italian "diletto" (for "delight"). [1]
The word may derive from the words "Dil Doul", literally meaning an erect penis. The phrase is used in an old song named "The Maids Complaint for want of a Dil Doul". The song was among many in the Library of Samuel Pepys.
It should be noted that there is in fact another meaning of the term 'dildo': the phallus-shaped peg used to lock an oar in position on a dory (small boat). It would be inserted into a hole on the side of the boat, and is very similar in shape (and function) to the modern toy. It is highly likely that the toy takes its name from this sailing tool. There is a town in Newfoundland, Canada called "Dildo" which takes its name from the sailing tool.
Older terms
Olisbos is a classical term for a dildo, from the Greek ολισβος. A godemiche is a dildo in the shape of a penis with scrotum.
What is a dildo?
There is some general disagreement about what precisely defines a dildo. There is general agreement that a nonvibrating device, resembling a penis in shape, size, and overall appearance, is a dildo. Some people include vibrating devices in this definition. Others exclude penis prosthetic aids, also called "extensions." Some include penis-shaped items clearly designed with vaginal penetration in mind even if they are not true approximations of a penis. Some people include devices designed for anal penetration (butt plugs) while others do not.
Materials
Early dildos were made of stone, wood, leather, wax or pottery. Of these, leather dildos with a fairly solid filler of cotton rag remain popular with some people. Rubber dildos, usually incorporating a steel spring for stiffness, became available in the 1940s. This was a less than satisfactory arrangement because of the potential for serious injury from cuts from the spring, when the rubber finally cracked and came apart.
Later, PVC dildos with a softer PVC filler became popular. Most of the inexpensive dildos sold today are made this way.
PVC and jelly-rubber toys have often been found to be problematic because they contain unsafe phthalates, softeners added to many plastics that are also found in some jewelry, food containers, and other soft rubber toys. Phthalates have been linked to health problems such as cancer and prenatal defects. Products made of PVC or jelly rubber cannot be sterilized. Manufacturers recommend using condoms with these toys if users share them.
In the 1990s, silicone rubber dildos became more popular, a trend that has continued as the price has come down. These are easier to keep clean and do not have the characteristic plasticy aroma of PVC. They were expensive when introduced but are now reasonably priced, making them an excellent choice for the first-time user. Silicone holds body heat well, and is an excellent conductor of vibrations, allowing users to hold a vibrator at one end. Silicone is also a high-quality material (especially when compared to the cheap, unsafe jelly rubber that many other dildos are made of) that can be sterilized by boiling or bleaching.
High-end, chrome-plated steel dildos are currently manufactured. Users might prefer steel as a material because of its firmness, durability, and very low friction, especially when used in conjunction with lubricant. Because they are heavy, they can be used to exercise vaginal PC muscles. (Betty Dodson's "barbell" is an example.) A steel dildo may be warmed slightly or cooled in a bath of water before use to elicit a range of temperature sensations. It may also retain body heat of the user. Because of its polished, poreless surface, it may be sterilized with ease in boiling water, or even in an autoclave.
Glass dildos have similar features to steel ones. Glass toys are solid, not hollow, and usually made of aeronautical-quality Pyrex or borosilicate, although this may vary depending on manufacturer. Like steel, glass toys may be used to apply firmer pressure than silicone can to a female's G-spot (urethral sponge) or male's prostate gland.
Cyberskin is a synthetic material made to look and feel like human skin. Many feel that Cyberskin does feel quite realistic. It is a porous material and cannot be sterilized. It often gets sticky after washing (which can be remedied by a dusting of cornstarch) and is much more delicate and prone to rips and tears than silicone dildos. "Packing dildos", which are not designed for penetration, are often made of this material. See Mr. Softie.
Shape
Conventionally, many dildos are shaped like a human penis with varying degrees of detail. Not all, however, are fashioned to meticulously reproduce the male anatomy, and dildos come in a wide variety of shapes. These may resemble goddess figures, or simply be practical creations which stimulate women more easily than conventional designs. In Japan, many dildos are created to resemble animals or cartoon characters, like Hello Kitty, so that they may be sold as toys, thus avoiding obscenity laws.
Uses
Vaginal and/or anal penetration is the obvious use. Dildos have fetishistic value as well, and some couples use them in other ways, running them over the skin during foreplay for example. If of appropriate sizes, they can be used as gags, for oral penetration or a sort of artificial fellatio, or for anal penetration. Some people also use specially designed dildos to stimulate the G-spot.
Dildos are used by people of all genders and sexual orientations, alone or with others, though some groups use dildos less than others. For example dildo use is more common among lesbians than straight men.
Safety and health
Some larger dildos are intended for visual appeal only and should not be used for penetration.
Dildos can transmit disease between users in the same way as other forms of sexual contact, and should not be shared among users where this is a concern. This is particularly true for dildos made of porous or micro-porous materials, such as most soft synthetics. On the other hand, smooth stainless steel or Pyrex dildos are easier to clean, non-porous, and can be more easily sanitized, either chemically or by boiling. Silicone dildos can also be sterilized via boiling or washing with a diluted bleach solution (10 parts water: 1 part bleach), then rinsed well. This is not meant to say that any unprotected dildo should be used by more than one person without being sanitized. An effective remedy is to use a fresh condom on the dildo.
Silicone dildos and silicone-based lubricants are not compatible, so users should avoid combining the two. Silicone lubricant dissolves the surface of silicone toys, turning it sticky. Pre-lubricated condoms almost always contain silicone lubricant, so when covering a silicone dildo with a condom, only a nonlubricated condom should be used. Non-silicone, water-based lubricants work best for silicone toys.
Dildos without a flanged base or other mechanism to control the depth of insertion should not be used anally, because they can be difficult to retrieve without medical assistance.
Variations
A dildo to be inserted in the anus and remain in place for a period of time is called a butt-plug. Dildos used for repeated anal penetration, such as thrusting, are usually referred to as simply "dildos" and must have a flared base to be safe for anal play. There are also double-ended dildos, with different-sized shafts pointing in the same direction, used by women to accomplish both anal and vaginal penetration at once, or for two partners to share a single dildo.
The double-ended dildo is used by some users during sexual acts. The dildo acts as a sort of "see-saw"; each partner takes an end and receives stimulation.
There are dildos designed to be worn in a harness, sometimes called a strap-on harness or strap-on dildo, or to be worn inside, sometimes with vibrating devices attached externally.
Strap-on dildos may be double-ended, in which case they are meant to be worn by users who want to experience vaginal or anal penetration while also penetrating a partner. They may also be used for anal penetration of men. In the latter case the act is known as pegging.
Other types of dildos include those designed to be fitted to the face of one party, inflatable dildos, and dildos with suction cups attached to the base (sometimes referred to as a wall mount). Other types of harness mounts for dildos (besides strapping to the groin) include thigh mount face mount, or furniture mounting straps.
Recent social acceptance and popularity has resulted in the emergence of highly adorned dildos. These are often made of expensive materials and can be jewelled.
See also
- Sexologist and masturbation advocate Betty Dodson
- Sybian
- Doc Johnson
- Teledildonics
- Dildos in Texas law
- Vibrator
- Sex toy
- Merkin
- Phallus
- Female hysteria
- Genital jewellery
- Dildo, Newfoundland
Works Cited
- Marshack, A. 1972 The Roots of Civilization McGraw-Hill New York
- Taylor, T. 1996 The Prehistory of Sex Bantam, New York
- Vasey, PL. 1998 Intiment Sexual Relations in prehistory: lessons from Japanese Macaques World Archaeology 29(03):407-425