This summer, I discovered the many ridiculous sexual euphemisms employed by johns who frequent online prostitution forums. My pick for the most offensive code-word?
The study, conducted by researchers Kristie R. Blevins and Thomas J. Thus, the terms used to describe the customers of prostitutes reflect the notion that the customers find nothing wrong in paying for sex. It is simply an interest or pastime that they enjoy. Mongers who were very involved in discussion forums and review boards were often referred to as a pooner.
This term was meant as a sign of respect and status and was used to identify those with clout in the forums. Thus, active involvement in both the sex trade and online resources played an important role in indicating status among johns across the forums. In place of derogatory terms for people , mongers used derogatory terms for objects , often referring to sex workers by their make, model, and build:. This language may be perceived as respectful and a way to neutralize the negative perspectives of their practices, mirroring their use of terms such as mongering or hobbying.
At the same time, these terms treat sex workers as items, rather than individual human beings. For example, posters used the term streetwalker or SW to describe a prostitute who works the streets looking for clients. Specifically, johns would also use the term mileage to refer to women whose appearances reflected the physical and emotional toll that sex work takes on prostitutes.
The use of a term like mileage that is typically used for automobiles is demonstrative of the perception that sex workers are offering a service.
