Question About Sex

[Strong Eagle]

No, no... it's not what you think.

For many activities we do there is a simple present tense. For example, "we talk", "we walk", "we sleep".

But, when it comes to the sex act, there appears to be no present tense verb to describe the present tense act of sex. Yes, we can use slang or the cruder expressions such as "we screw" or "we f**k" but there appears to be no clean "we ???".

Isn't this odd? Why are there only slang verbs for the sex act?

And, is this also true in other languages? Is there a common present tense word for having sex (see - don't have a word to use there, except maybe "f**king") in Bahasa... or Tamil... or Mandarin?

Enquiring minds want to know.

[k1w1]

What about:

1. Make love
2. Copulate
3. Mate
4. Procreate

Yeah, I see what you mean. None of those are things I would say in normal speech. Some of them are not even appropriate ("mate" is really only for animals, which I guess we are...)

Here's something funny. Canadians have "Roots" as a brandname. In New Zealand, if you "root" something it's the same as "shagging" it. The first time I saw Roots coffee in Japan, I didn't know whether to laugh or gasp. I think I did both, gasping first.

[Strong Eagle]

Yeh... I guess copulate is close.

[bushbride]

SE,

Interesting comment...

I only really talk to Mr BB about this topic, so I find no need for tense variations, the word just by itself tends to do the trick.

BB

[Wind In My Hair]

Yeh... I guess copulate is close.

as in, "shall we copulate tonight?"?

really...

[ringo100]

I think the reason is that the word SEX is not a verb so doesn’t have a tense.

All the rest are verbs i.e. mate, freak, copulate, fornicate, screw etc.

When you have sex; have is the verb, sex is the noun.

[Loops]

Fornicate?

Do you fancy having a bit of a fornicate tonight.........oh yes, ha ha, can you imagine saying that

[ringo100]

If you write the word F'uck here, it automatically turns to Freak.

Is it that big a deal?

[Loops]

It could be.......if you were trying to invite someone to do one thing and they thought you meant something else........ahem!!!

But of course, that could depend on how well you want to get to know someone on here

hmmm, I think I've freaked myself out with that reply

[Strong Eagle]

Yeh... I guess copulate is close.

as in, "shall we copulate tonight?"?

really...

Is that an invitation?

[one843]

I think that sex would be considered an event such as dinner or lunch or breakfast. With these events we use the words have, having and had.
Therefore one would have breakfast and then have sex then they could say the had breakfast and then had sex. Or vice versa.

Is'nt it also funny how when ever the topic of sex comes up even for reasons of correct grammar it always endes up a bit naughty.

[renter]

Actually "we screw" "we fxxk" are clean. Or you think it is not clean.

[riversandlakes]

This is SOO cheap an attempt to get people to read your thread, SE :D

[Wind In My Hair]

I think that sex would be considered an event such as dinner or lunch or breakfast.

one of the more sensible explanations so far. made me think of the term 'appetite' which is used to describe the desire for all the above, as well as all having a point of 'satiation'. so yes, seems these events do have something in common. ah, what a lovely academic discussion we're having.

SE, take a number.

[Strong Eagle]

I think that sex would be considered an event such as dinner or lunch or breakfast. With these events we use the words have, having and had.
Therefore one would have breakfast and then have sex then they could say the had breakfast and then had sex. Or vice versa.

Is'nt it also funny how when ever the topic of sex comes up even for reasons of correct grammar it always endes up a bit naughty.

Yes, I can see that point. However, when I am hungry, I say, "I want to eat", not "I want to have food"... or breakfast.

When I am horny, I can only say "I want to have sex" unless I invoke some other less accepted verb... ok... copulate excluded.