This article is about normal consensual sexual rubbing, whether naked or clothed.

See frot (no longer called frottage) for male-male genital sex.

See frotteurism (sometimes called frottage, although psychiatrically this use is incorrect) for the sexual disorder involving nonconsensual rubbing in public places without discovery.

See frottage (surrealist technique) for the spontaneous graphic art technique.

Frottage is normal sexual activity without penetration that can include any form of sexual rubbing, whether naked or clothed, for arousal or orgasm.

Frottage can include mutual genital rubbing, sometimes called genito-genital or GG rubbing:

• penile-vulval rubbing without penetration for a male and a female
• frot, penile-penile rubbing for two males
• tribadism, vulval-vulval rubbing for two females

Also nonmutual genital rubbing:

• intercrural intercourse, also known as interfemoral intercourse, placing the penis between a partner's thighs, from the front or rear
• mammary intercourse, putting the penis between the other person's breasts
• axillary intercourse, putting the penis in the other person's armpit
• rubbing genitals against any part of the partner's body, such as clitoris against thigh or penis against abdomen.

Terminology

Frottage, more commonly known as dry-humping is the act of achieving sexual pleasure with a partner without penetration. This can include using almost every part of the body, including the buttocks, the breasts, thighs, feet, hands and even contact between sexual organs.

There are many reasons why a couple may choose to dry-hump. The most common reasons for dry-humping is either as a form of foreplay prior to intercourse or as a method of safe sex, being a safer tactic for sexual stimulation. Also, dry humping can be done without the need to get undressed, and perhaps this is even preferable. Panties, bras, pantyhose or stockings can aid in sexual arousal and stimulation.

Etymology

The term frottage derives from the French verb "to rub" frotter.

Improper term

Three distinct terms derive from the French verb "to rub" frotter, that are not to be confused: frottage, frotteurism and frot. Frottage is the preferred term for various forms of genital rubbing as part of normal sexual activity. Normal frottage is sometimes improperly called frotteurism, being confused with the sexual disorder called frotteurism that was once called frottage. Properly the term frotteurism has no meaning except the sexual disorder. Slang sometimes abbreviates frottage to "frot". Properly frot is the technical term for male-male genital sex.

Colloquialisms

• "dry fucking" or "dry humping", two people engaging in clothed frottage in a manner that simulates intercourse.
• "grinding" or "freaking", a modern dancing style which involves partners rubbing their clothed bodies on one another.
• "frotteur geek", a colloquialism for a person with a devotion to an atypical scenario for frottage.

See also

• Lap dances often involve clothed frottage.

Sexual acts | French words