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Original poster

To believe we can retire the word "shagging"?

243 replies

ReplacementBusService · 13/10/2025 22:07

I was a teenager in the 90s, and the word for casual, semi casual, or run of the mill sexual congress was "shag", as in "shagging" "have a shag", "quick shag", and "shagged em".

I just think, this word has had its day. It has connotations with vintage rugs, thick carpets, unruly beards, and perhaps panting sheepdogs, that are uncomfortable. Other words exist. I don't want to be the self declared Word Police, and appreciate there will be other points of view on this very important topic, but please can we all consider never using it again?

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Wolfpa · 14/10/2025 08:27

BlueJuniper94 · 13/10/2025 22:15

"Pumping"?

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This sounds like a farting euphemism

TheExcitersblowingupmymind · 14/10/2025 08:25

HelpMeGetThrough · 14/10/2025 08:24

And emptied his tanks.

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Yuck.. that's a bad one

HelpMeGetThrough · 14/10/2025 08:24

Wainscot · 14/10/2025 08:06

Ew!

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And emptied his tanks.

theDudesmummy · 14/10/2025 08:22

My DH calls it "having fun" when talking about the prospect, and fucking when actually doing it.

MiddleAgedDread · 14/10/2025 08:19

awww please don't, i love a shag! (different to sex / making love IMO)

BlueJuniper94 · 14/10/2025 08:17

LemonLass · 13/10/2025 22:31

Pumping = farting 😂🤭
Shaggy and Scooby
It's all just words.
@ReplacementBusService - choose to use or retire anyone of them - nobody can give or refuse you permission 🤔

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Not here it doesn't

MagpiePi · 14/10/2025 08:17

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 14/10/2025 00:01

A bit off-topic, but do people still use the term 'One-night-stand'? I've not heard that in forever but I don't know what the alternative phrase would be!

Oh gosh yes, same as you never hear 'going out with' anymore.

Back in the day you fancied someone, your mates told their mates, you got together for a drunken snog at the disco and then you were 'going out' and you dumped them if they two timed you.

Ncforthis2244 · 14/10/2025 08:16

How about a damn good rodgering!

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 14/10/2025 08:12

Just remembered a northern friend used to call it "a session" and would cringe when I talked about my therapy session! Really odd.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 14/10/2025 08:10

It was 'riding' in Ireland when I grew up.

Also used as a noun for an attractive person. He / she is a ride!

I would probably use shag before fuck, I think its an awful word. Especially when it's used in such a negative way elsewhere. Unlike riding / ride, fucker is a horrible and insulting word.

Be intimate, do the deed, doing it... all acceptable but a silly sounding.

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 14/10/2025 08:09

Having it away

Or my ex used to say "giving you a servicing,"

Wainscot · 14/10/2025 08:06

BettysRoasties · 14/10/2025 08:03

My friend says her fella has sorted her pipes out.

But I’m sure that’s not how they instigate with each other 🤣

Ew!

BubblyBath178 · 14/10/2025 08:06

We using bonk 😂 (or sometimes shag)

BettysRoasties · 14/10/2025 08:03

My friend says her fella has sorted her pipes out.

But I’m sure that’s not how they instigate with each other 🤣

theDudesmummy · 14/10/2025 08:00

Moonless · 14/10/2025 04:12

Oh lord no, that's wrong on too many levels. My Dad is called Roger.

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My dad's name is Randy (really!).

Belshels · 14/10/2025 07:18

OnlyOneAdda · 14/10/2025 05:59

Find this one very creepy

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I agree it's awful!!

TheExcitersblowingupmymind · 14/10/2025 06:44

Porking?
Ride is popular in Scotland.

OnlyOneAdda · 14/10/2025 05:59

Belshels · 14/10/2025 00:07

Or a bit of "how's yer father" 😂

Find this one very creepy

Yamamm · 14/10/2025 05:56

Shagging is great and agree - very very British.
We do like to be a bit silly when referencing sex but it doesn’t mean we take it less seriously than other people. That’s nonsense. We just despise people who take themselves seriously. Like Sting and his wife who did sex properly and told everyone about it at great length. Bore off Sting and all your transcendent mates.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 14/10/2025 05:18

JacquesHarlow · 14/10/2025 02:29

I don't use any "term" for it, because I'm never referring to it in casual conversation.

That doesn't make me a prude - FAR from it, I have a very healthy approach to the subject and the activity - but since when am I constantly referring to the sexual act?

No. Doesn't happen.

So yeah, good luck to everyone who is constantly chatting about "shagging", sounds great, but I don't really get the conversations you lot have, and why.

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There's quite a bit of space between 'never' and 'constantly', and I expect that's the space most people inhabit.

Moonless · 14/10/2025 04:12

HelpMeGetThrough · 14/10/2025 03:27

A good rogering.

Oh lord no, that's wrong on too many levels. My Dad is called Roger.

GarlicPound · 14/10/2025 03:31

For @JacquesHarlow: I have, at least once but I hope more often, told a friend I went for a shag and got a transcendental experience 😊 This may come closer to your requirements, but I truly can't imagine telling anyone I fancy a transcendental sexual experience! It's a bit ... much, don't you think?

HelpMeGetThrough · 14/10/2025 03:27

A good rogering.

GarlicPound · 14/10/2025 03:26

Samuel Pepys used the word "towsing" (or tousing, spellings were approximate then as now) where we'd say "shagging" He toused a lot, did Sam, all over the shop.

He also said "pleasure" but I got very annoyed when he "pleasured" a maid when it was obvious he raped the poor girl. It was his pleasure to lie to himself, I guess 😡

Otherwise, he euphemised very liberally in a mixture of French and English with a bit of Latin thrown in. He sometimes "occupied" a woman. He was a right creep!

On reflection, I don't think towse is any better than shag. I merely offer it as an alternative of attested historical authenticity.

Serbius · 14/10/2025 02:53

I utterly detest the word and all words pertaining to it, because I just think of it as a way of describing what dogs do and can’t get that picture out of my head.

I am a bit Jane Austen though!