BDSM

BDSM is an initialism that stands for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance & Submission, Sadism & Masochism, and covers a variety of often erotic practices, roleplay and other related interpersonal dynamics.

The first recorded use of the term is in a Usenet post from 1991

Bondage & Discipline

Bondage

Bondage in the BDSM subculture, is the practice of consensually tying, binding, or restraining a partner for erotic, aesthetic, or somatosensory stimulation. A partner may be physically restrained in a variety of ways, including the use of rope, cuffs, bondage tape, or self-adhering bandage.

Discipline

In BDSM, rules can be made so that a submissive ("sub") knows how they should behave (so that the dominant is not displeased). Rules can also be for reminding subs of their inferior status, or for training a novice sub. When such rules are broken, whether consciously or unconsciously, punishment is often used as a means of discipline. Punishment itself can be physical (ex. whipping or piercing) or psychological (ex. erotic humiliation through public nudity or golden showers) or a combination of both (ex. through predicament bondage).

Dominance & Submission

Dominance & Submission (often abbreviated D/s) is a set of behaviours, customs and rituals involving the submission of one person to another in an erotic episode or lifestyle.

Sadism & Masochism

Sadomasochism is the giving and receiving of pleasure from acts involving the receipt or infliction of pain or humiliation. Practitioners of sadomasochism may seek sexual pleasure from their acts. While the terms sadist and masochist refer respectively to one who enjoys giving and receiving pain, some practitioners of sadomasochism may switch between activity and passivity.