From Eurêka

Vibrators

Vibrator (Vibe) Mechanical device designed to sexually stimulate the vulva, clitoris, and vagina.

Love wand (slang) Vibrator. Midnight cowboy (slang) Vibrator or dildo. Wonder stick Vibrator.

Vibrator kit Collection of vibrators, or vibrators in combination with other sex toys such as dildos, anal plugs, massage oils, lubricants, feathers, etc.

Vibrator History

(chronological order)

Womb furie Presumed complaint suffered by women since Hippocrates.

Female distress Spectacular set of symptoms that included lassitude, irritability, depression, confusion, palpitations of the heart, headaches, forgetfulness, insomnia, muscle spasms, stomach upsets, writing cramps, ticklishness and weepiness.

Hysteria Female disease that was incurable, especially for wealthy women for which a patient had to go to a doctor regularly to get relief by vulvular massage, from the doctor’s viewpoint she was a regular source of income, 19th cent.

Hysterical (Neurasthenic) Labels for symptoms that a doctor could ameliorate in minutes in his surgery with a vibrator, 1880s-1920s. Hysteroneurasthenic disorders Illnesses resulting from hysteria. Vulvular massage (Pelvic massage) Rubbing the exterior of the vagina, either with the fingers, or later with a vibrator.

Orgasm deficit Many women must have spent their lives without orgasm because of the androcentric sexual practices of the 19th cent and religious edicts against masturbation. Thus it was left to medical practitioners to minister treatment.

Pelvic hyperemia (med) Focus of female distress in the vicinity of the vulva which could only be relieved by massage and orgasm.

Nonorgasmic treatment Vibrators were also used to treat constipation, arthritis, muscle fatigue, inflammation, laryngitis and tumors, men being treated as well as women.

Orgasmatron Self-contained device resembling a pacemaker implanted beneath the skin, switched on and off with a remote control, to give a woman an orgasm.

Vibrator origin Electromechanical device developed to perfect and automate a function that doctors had long performed for women, the relief of physical, emotional and sexual tension through external pelvic massage, culminating in orgasm, first patented by Dr. Joseph Mortimer Granville, c. 1880.

Twig Slang for a vibrator with a slender business end. Face massager Euphemism for a vibrator. Vibrator proliferation Electromechanical vibrator proliferated into many types of models: musical vibrators, counter-weighted vibrators, vibratory forks, vibrators that hung from the ceiling, vibrators attached to tables, floor models on rollers and portable devices that fit in the palm of the hand. Chattanooga Cadillac of vibrators that cost $200 plus freight charges 1904. Vibratiles Undulating wire coils.

Vibrator home appliance Vibrator was only the 5th household device to be electrified, after the sewing machine, fan, teakettle and toaster, and preceded by about a decade the vacuum cleaner and electric iron. Advertised in such respectable magazines as Needlecraft, Women’s Home Companion, Modern Priscilla and Sears, Roebuck catalogue, vibrators were pitched as “aids that every woman appreciates,” with the promise that “all the pleasures of youth…will throb within you.”

Hydro-massage vibrator Device advertised by Modern Woman magazine, 1906.

Jolting chairs Chairs that created a rocking motion to treat hysteroneurasthenic disorders, 19th cent.

Vibrator sex toy Status of vibrator changed rapidly from a medical device to a sex toy when they began to be used in stag films, 1920s.

Cordless massager (AmE) Euphemism for vibrator, 1990s.

Vibrator Lexicon

(alphabetical listing)

Battery powered vibrator Gets its power from batteries.

Bullet vibrator (Traditional vibrator) Traditional design, often in the shape of a bullet.

Butterfly vibrator Small vibrator designed to be worn directly against the vulva and/or clitoris, which is secured in place by leg or waist straps.

Venus vibrator (synonym for butterfly vibrator) Hands-free vibrator that rests against the vagina and is fixed into place by leg or waist straps. Venus vibrators are designed primarily to stimulate the clitoris.

Clitoral stimulator Designed to stimulate the clitoris.

Clitoral vibrator Designed to stimulate the clitoris.

Cyberskin vibrator Comes with a Cyberskin sleeve, or that is made primarily of Cyberskin.

Dual vibrator Designed to stimulate both the clitoris and vagina simultaneously.

Dual-action vibrator Designed to stimulate both the clitoris and vagina simultaneously. Dual action vibrators often perform more than one function. For example, some dual action vibrators have rotating shafts as well as vibrating clitoral stimulators that can be adjusted separately.

Dual-purpose vibrator Designed to stimulate both the clitoris and vagina simultaneously. Usually referring to a vibrator that consists of a traditional shaft, with a clitoral stimulating fixture attached to the shaft that rotates and stimulates the clitoris during use.

Egg vibrator Small but often powerful vibrator that is shaped like a small egg.

Electric vibrator Derives its power from electricity, as opposed to a battery-powered vibrator.

G-Spot vibrator Specifically designed to stimulate the G-Spot. These vibrators are usually curved at the tip.

Hands free vibrator Straps around the legs or waist and usually stimulates the clitoris. Common forms are butterfly vibrators and venus vibrators.

High-tech vibrator Capable of advanced movements. High-tech vibrators often have settings that include vibrate, surge, escalate, roller-coaster and pulse.

Hitachi Magic Wand Powerful and popular personal massager made by Hitachi Corporation that doubles as a vibrator.

Jelly vibrator Either covered in or constructed out of jelly. Most jelly vibrators are completely coated and “sealed” within the jelly.

Micro-bullet vibrator Small vibrator that is shaped like an egg.

Multi-speed Vibrator Capable of vibrations of various speeds.

Pearl vibrator With a group of rotating pearls in the shaft. Pearl vibrators offer extra vaginal stimulation.

Pocket rocket (slang, penis) Small brand name vibrator that is primarily used as a clitoral massager.

Rabbit vibrator Both a brand name product and a general description of vibrators that fall into the category of clitoral or dual purpose vibrators.

Realistic vibrator Looks and feels like a real penis. Realistic vibrators are often dildos with vibrating eggs or vibration motors implanted in the shaft.

Rubber vibrator Usually referring to a rubber vibrator sleeve, which is a soft sleeve that fits over a vibrator shaft to change the feel of the vibrator.

Silicone vibrator Shell or sleeve is made of silicone. Silicone vibrators are often waterproof and can be cleaned with any mild soap or sex toy cleaner. Silicone vibrators or silicone sleeves are impervious to oil-based lubrication.

Silver bullet (slang) Vibrator, usually metallic.

Slimline vibrator Cylindrical and is curved at the tip. A traditional vibrator is almost always a slimline variety. Slimline vibrators have been around for many years.

Traditional vibrator (Slimline vibrator) Cylindrical and tapers to a point at the tip.

Translucent vibrator Usually made of plastic, that is clear or see-through.

Wand vibrator Powerful vibrator, usually with a vibrating “tip,” long flexible shaft, and controls located at the base.

Waterproof vibrator Resistant to water. Waterproof vibrators can be used safely in any wet environment

Parts of a Vibrator

(alphabetical listing)

Nubs (slang, = breasts) Small bumps on a vibrator that provide extra vaginal or clitoral stimulation.

Pleasure nub Small protrusion usually at the base of a vibrator that is used to stimulate the vagina or clitoris.

Rotating pearls Set of plastic beads (pearls) encased in jelly or plastic on the shaft of a vibrator. When the vibrator is turned on the pearls rotate inside their enclosure, providing extra-vaginal stimulation. Vibrators with pearls are commonly known as dual-purpose, multipurpose or clitoral vibrators.

Vibrator sleeve Slides over a vibrator and adds a different texture, look or feel. Vibrator sleeves are usually made of jelly or a realistic material such as Cyberskin.

Sleeve Thin piece of material, usually Cyberskin, jelly or latex, that slips over a vibrator to give it more texture and thickness. Tickler (Tickler sleeve) Sleeve inserted over a vibrator that is used to “tickle” a certain area. Tickler sleeves usually have some type of “tentacle” or other protrusions that function as the ticklers.

Lubrication

Sex lube (Lube) Lubricant used during sexual activity.

Lubricant Lotion or jelly designed to decrease friction. During sexual activity, a lubricant can be used to aid intercourse or masturbation.

(alphabetical listing)

Astroglide Popular brand name sexual lubrication.

Joy Jelly Sexual lubrication.

KY Jelly (brand) Water soluble lubricant, often used during sexual activity.