Language
The Lexicon
The Lexicon preserves the language of the Lifestyle — its words, concepts and traditions. It records meaning; it never prescribes practice. Where usage varies between Houses or lineages, each is set down with equal respect.
Alphabetical
Entries beginning with B
Back Patch
A large emblem worn on the back of a vest, typically indicating primary club or family affiliation.
Symbols
Back Worship
A form of Body Worship focused on the back.
Practices
Bare Feet
The presentation of the feet unshod, often significant within ritual or ceremony.
Terminology
Bared Throat
Traditional gesture of submission drawn from animal-communication imagery.
Communication
Bastinado
Impact play applied to the soles of the feet.
Practices
BD
Abbreviation for the bondage-and-discipline component of the BDSM umbrella.
Practices
BDSM
An umbrella acronym covering bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism.
Terminology
BDSM Triskelion
The BDSM Triskelion is the internationally recognized symbol of the Leather, BDSM, and consensual power exchange communities. Inspired by the ancient triskelion motif and formally designed by Steve Quagmyr in the 1990s, it represents unity, discretion, diversity, and the shared ethical principles that bind the community together.
Symbols
Bedroom FemDom
Female Dominance expressed primarily within scenes or intimate contexts rather than in daily life.
Relationships
Beta
A mid-tier or supporting role sometimes used within Packs and animal-role communities.
Roles
Bit
A mouthpiece worn as part of a Pony Play Bridle.
Equipment
Blindfold
A covering that removes vision.
Equipment
Blinkers
Panels attached to a Bridle that limit peripheral vision.
Equipment
Body Adoration
The expressive, admiring register of Body Worship, emphasising delight in the person as embodied.
Practices
Body Awareness
The Rope Bottom's ongoing perception of their own body within a tie.
Practices
Body Devotion
The sustained, committed register of Body Worship expressed over time within a dynamic.
Practices
Body Harness
A harness that encompasses substantial portions of the body beyond the chest alone.
Equipment
Body Language
The complex of postural, gestural and expressive signals through which people communicate without speech.
Communication
Body Mapping
The study of the Rope Bottom's body as it responds to particular kinds of tension and placement.
Practices
Body Worship
The tradition of expressing consensual admiration, service or devotion focused on the body of another.
Practices
Bond
A formally recognised relationship between members, such as ownership, mentorship or House affiliation.
Relationships
Bondage
The consensual restraint of the body with rope, cuffs, chain, tape or other material.
Practices
Bondage Bench
A padded bench designed to support the body in a stable position for play.
Equipment
Bondage Chair
A chair constructed or adapted for the secure restraint of its occupant.
Equipment
Bondage Table
A reinforced table designed for supine or prone bondage scenes.
Equipment
Book Accuracy
The degree to which a Gorean practice conforms to the depiction in John Norman's novels.
History
Book Gor
A tradition within Gorean community practice that treats the novels as the primary reference for custom and vocabulary.
History
Boot Black
A recognised role and service tradition centred on the care of leather footwear and gear.
Community
Boot Blacking
The traditional craft of caring for and shining leather boots and shoes.
Practices
Boot Care
The practice of maintaining boots in good condition through cleaning, conditioning and repair.
Practices
Boot Etiquette
The shared expectations governing conduct where boots are involved as objects of ritual or care.
Etiquette
Boot Presentation
The ritual manner in which boots are presented within a dynamic or ceremony.
Practices
Boot Worship
The tradition of expressing consensual admiration or devotion focused on boots.
Practices
Bottom
The participant who receives the physical activity in a scene.
Roles
Box Tie
A rope tie that binds the arms behind the back with the forearms parallel.
Practices
Brand
In the Gorean setting, a permanent mark placed upon a slave to signify their status; in community practice, a range of symbolic or ceremonial marks adopted by consent.
Symbols
Branding
In the Gorean setting, the act of applying a Brand; in community practice, a range of symbolic or ceremonial acts of marking.
Practices
Brat
A submissive who plays with resistance, teasing or defiance as part of the dynamic.
Roles
Breast Collar
A strap crossing the chest that connects a Pony's harness to a cart or draft point.
Equipment
Bridle
A head harness used in Pony Play, typically incorporating straps, a bit and reins.
Equipment
BTB
Abbreviation for Book Gor, or By The Books.
Terminology
Builder Caste
In the Gorean setting, the High Caste responsible for architecture and engineering.
History
Bullwhip
A long single-tail whip with a heavy braided body.
Equipment
By The Books
A phrase used within Gorean communities to describe practice closely modelled on the novels.
Terminology