[lit-ideas] The Sexual History of Chastity
- From: Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:17:25 EDT
For a complete and learned history of this cul-de-sac, try "The Origin of
the Word Condom," pp. 191-194 in Norman E. Himes, "Medical History of
Contraception."
---
Thanks. I've also tried a learned history of the word 'sheath'.
sheath, "a contraceptive made of thin rubber worn on the penis; a condom."
-- This is what Geary calls an 'encyclical', or circular definition ("Nota
bene: condom is defined as a sheath, and a sheath as a condom -- Heaven's rim
indeed").
1861 G. DRYSDALE Elem. Soc. Science (ed. 4) II. 349
"The accessory and sensational part of the venereal act is obtained..by the
use of the sheath (which is..very frequent, but more so on the continent than
in this country)."
-- Odd I would think, in view of Catholicism, etc.
1897 Science of Generation xx. 235
The use of various mechanical contrivances, such as French Safes, Condom
Sheaths, etc.
-- This use of "French" -- or "Frenchie" is common in Baroness d'Orczy ("We
searched those Frenchies all around")
1919 M. C. STOPES Let. to Working Mothers 14
"Some men like to use a sheath, and this is quite a safe method."
This is what R. Paul calls a 'scalar 'implicature'': "Some men like it",
"Some men don't". "While this is an 'implicature' it's hardly part of what M.
C.
Stopes is _saying_ on behalf of the working mothers"
1962 Lancet 2 June 1194/1
The survey shows that the sheath and coitus interruptus are still the
methods most commonly used for contraception in this country.
1977 E. J. Trimmer et al. Visual Dict. Sex (1978) xiv. 134
Careful attention must be taken in the rolling on of the sheath so as not to
damage it.
-- in which case it wouldn't be so effective. Trimmer goes on to detail an
undamaged vs. a damaged one in his fig. 24.5
---
Cheers,
JL
************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Other related posts:
