Sexy Origins and Intimate Things: The Rites and Rituals of Straights, Gays, Bis, Drags, Trans, Virgins, and Others [Paperback]

Charles Panati (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

Where did the word "love" come from? Has there ever been a gay pope? Who invented the condom? How did Valentine's Day originate? From the lascivious to the romantic, from the hard-core to the scientific and the scholarly, this engaging and eye-opening compendium of little known facts about sex is both informative and endlessly entertaining. Employing the same careful research and driven by the unadulterated obsession with roots that made his Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things a bestseller, author Charles Panati explores the histories of myriad unmentionable subjects--dirty words, kissing, risqu clothing, courtship, birth control, drag queens, sexual paraphernalia, wedding rituals--and brings them into the light of day where they belong. Without flinching, winking, or talking down to his audience, he offers straightforward explanations of terms and practices of widespread interest to humans yet not commonly discussed. He also helps clarify many confusing and controversial issues of human sexuality. Filled with facts and historical anecdotes that are sure to surprise even the most informed reader, this rich new collection of browsable information is as fun and provocative as its subject matter.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Conservatives complain that the contemporary world is obsessed with sex. It is true that during the past 100 years Western societies have broadened the permissible limits of openness in discussing sexuality. Yet with all of this freedom, the origins of much sexual language, folklore, and rituals are unknown. Not any more. Charles Panati's Sexy Origins and Intimate Things is a grab bag of cultural, sexual trivia that makes for compulsive reading and retelling. What are the origins of the words queer, fairy, faggot, and dyke? Who invented the bra and the corset? How did the common rituals surrounding marriage, sexual activity, circumcision, and birth come about? Which males throughout history had large penises? Well, not all of them, but Panati does manages to come up with a few surprising names. Hardly science and not really sociology, Sexy Origins and Intimate Things will fully equip you to chat your way through your next 50 dinner parties.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); First Edition 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140271449
• ISBN-13: 978-0140271447
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #893,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charles Panati is a physicist, and for many years was the science editor of Newsweek. He's published 13 non-fiction books, and two novels, and his most recent novel, a psychological thriller, THE ROCKY HORRORS, is available at the Kindle Store. His 'Browser's Book of Beginnings' was the basis for the TV show THE START OF SOMETHING BIG, hosted by comedian Steve Allen, and written by Panati. In his early twenties, Panati was an escort for several Miss America contestants, and in September of 1965 the girl he escorted, Debbie Irene Bryant, became Miss America of 1966. In his newest fiction, THE ROCKY HORRORS, the science of genetics, one experimenter's hubris, and a seriously dysfunctional family all commingle to produce a story of hair-raising suspense - all concluding in a triple whammy of an ending. One the reader never sees coming. Imagine Alfred Hitchcock meets The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Panati's most recent non-fiction is also a Kindle book: ANIMALS PRAY - In Their Own Way. As a passionate animal lover, Panati has imagined what prayers animals would say to a Heavenly Being, their joys and laments. As well as what kind of Bill of Rights they'd have drawn up, and Declaration of Independence, their Golden Rule, Ten Commandments, Eight Beatitudes, and the like. He calls himself an 'editor' of the book, a confidant and complier, lending his ear as the animals themselves speak their minds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sexy Origins and Intimate Things: The Rites and Rituals of Straights, Gays, Bis, Drags, Trans, Virgins, and Others (Paperback)

Answers everything you ever wanted to know about sex..and then some!! For instance, did you know that the word "testify" is derived from the latin for testicle? Yes, it's true..before there were bibles to swear on, men swore on their testicles. Did you know that Frenchmen wore the first high heels? Women didn't wear them until the 18th century, but men liked the way they made their legs look! Ever wonder why men have nipples? Read this book...it's fun, flaky and fascinating.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mix of history, trivia, and tittilation, December 3, 2003

By 

JET (Parker, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sexy Origins and Intimate Things: The Rites and Rituals of Straights, Gays, Bis, Drags, Trans, Virgins, and Others (Paperback)

Sexy Origins is a fascinating book that details the history and lore behind everything related to sex and sexuality...

History buffs looking for something different, trivia lovers, or readers who are interested in sexuality will love this book. It is well-written and well-researched. The facts are broken up with humor, quotes, quirky illustrations, and interesting anecdotes. Panati also does a good job of presenting opposing viewpoints objectively but modernly. As might be expected in a book like this, there are many delicate subjects that are broached, including the objectification of women and their subordination. Panati presents objective information in these instances, but sometimes also provides his (refreshingly modern) take on things to balance out the perspective the reader is presented with.

Admittedly, it is difficult to read this book continuously. I read it from cover to cover, but read it over the course of a year or so. After reading Sexy Origins, you will definitely come away with fresh perspective and insight on human sexuality.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cannot be read in one sitting, but you will want to try., October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sexy Origins and Intimate Things: The Rites and Rituals of Straights, Gays, Bis, Drags, Trans, Virgins, and Others (Paperback)

Two of my favourite subjects...sex and trivia. The presentation is easy to read without a lot of dry, pompous prose, and I actually learnt stuff I did not already know! I enjoyed the humour, the genuine information and the expanding of my horizons.A wonderful gift for the over 21 to under 105 man/woman/other who finds sex fascinating.