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Originally Posted by SacTown Chronic
That's funny, a day or two ago I was also wondering about SM.
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Sadomasochism?
SM stands for two words, sadism and masochism. These are named after two writers, Marquis De Sade and Sacher-Masoch. Both were European aristocrats whose erotic activities took place more in their minds than in the real world.
A sadist enjoys inflicting pain. The Marquis De Sade lived in eighteenth century France, and his books covered virtually all forms of sexuality which were considered socially unacceptable. Unfortunately, Sade wrote more to shock than to inform. The sadists in his novels abused non-consenting victims.
A masochist enjoys receiving pain. Sacher-Masoch was a nineteenth century Polish Baron who wrote the novel "Venus In Furs". This book established many of the conventions of later Sado-masochism, such as the dominant mistress and her willing slave. Although Sacher-Masoch's book is not as violent as the writings of Sade, there is still something depressing about "Venus In Furs." Neither the mistress nor the slave ever seem to get much enjoyment out of their activities.