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

by Charles Panati (Author)
Key Phrases: full pudenda, modern bra, second sexual revolution, New York, Middle English, Old English (more...)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)


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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 Description
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.

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.com Sales Rank: #154,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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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
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.
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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 Jennifer Terry (Parker, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
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.

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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
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Like a Good Drag Queen, Entertaining and Flamboyant
This book will be great for settling a bet at a party.
The amount of information is wonderful and while reading it I had plenty of "wow that's how that happened" or "so that... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Adam Gresek

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
I love to have this book around. It's not the type of book you read as if it was a novel, but it's great to read one or two chapters a day to get some little fun facts and learn... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jessika Carvajal

5.0 out of 5 stars Too amazing
I actually came across this book in the public library. Once I read it and breezed through it I was instantly amazed by the material in the book. Its very insightful.
Published on January 16, 2007 by Sevv Trinity

3.0 out of 5 stars Slightly flawed but entertaining
This book is fairly comprehensive and far-reaching for its topic and contains the expected multitude of interesting details, as I've come to expect from my previous experiences... Read more
Published on October 21, 2000 by Michaela S.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent research material as well as brain candy
This book is not only well researched, but an enjoyable read. It is one of the most intriguing books I've read in a while. A must-have for scholars as well as trivia lovers.
Published on November 8, 1999 by Teresa D. Tahu

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
If you like rare sexual trivia this is the book for you. It contains the answers to all the questions you never even thought to ask. Fun and educational.
Published on February 11, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars very well researched
very well researche
Published on February 9, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Shockingly fascinating, a damn good read.
Panati always puts on a good show. His funambulism is tempered and unpretentious, so when it is time to regurgitate your new-found trivia you don't have to be so modest... Read more
Published on August 19, 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Impossible to put down!
Panati's book is chock-full of intriguing, fascinating facts and anecdotes. Inside, you will find some things that will amuse you, some things that will entertain you, and some... Read more
Published on July 16, 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Sexy, sultry, witty, learned, fun, a must-read
Origins of everything about sex: The Finger, Drag, Stilettos, Condom, Vibrator, History's First Love Poem, Peep Show, Porn, First Prostitute, First Hustler, terms like "blow... Read more
Published on October 25, 1997

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