Definitions

BDSM
An acronym made from the terms "Bondage and Discipline" "Dominance and Submission" and "Sadism and Masochism." A general or "catch-all" term for the many aspects of this lifestyle.

B&D
Abbreviation for Bondage and Discipline. A style of sexual play characterized by the restraining of one partner by the other of pleasuring the restrained partner, often by use of "punishment".

D/s

Abbreviation for Dominance and submission. A consensual relationship where the submissive yeilds to the control of the Dominant. This can be in a sexual context only, in a full-time (24/7) context, or anything inbetween.

DD
Abbreviation for Domestic Discipline. A consensual relationship where the submissive (most often the wife) is subject to rules and punishments from the Dominant (her husband).

S&M
Abbreviation for Sadism and Masochism. Sadism is deriving sexual arousal from the infliction of pain, while masochism is deriving sexual pleasure from the receiving of pain. In this context, all references to S&M (or SM) are understood to indicate consensual Sadomasochism.

SSC
An acronym made from the words "Safe, Sane and Consensual." A descriptive term created in 1987 and made popular in the 1990s to be a credo for BDSM activities. The idea was to promote to non-BDSM people ("vanilla") the idea that what we do can be done responsibly when entered upon by consenting partners.

Vanilla
Slang term for people who do not participate in BDSM-related activities.