Where or how did the term "vanilla" ever originate?

[drew70]

I keep seeing this bit of slang used on this forum. In many cases it's used in derision, as if to suggest folks not into tickling or fetish in general are somehow clueless or even contemptible. What's up with that?

One hypothesis is that this term originated by those who felt that they were labeled as kinky or weird, so in retaliation a slang term was used to label those not into it. Personally, I don't see us as being much (if at all) different from the rest of the world. When you get down to it, we like touching and being touched. Who doesn't?

 

[jorus5]

I have no idea where it actually came from, but if I had to guess I would say the slang term came from ice cream.
"You don't want Rocky Road or Cherry Garcia? You just want boring old VANILLA?"
Something along those lines.

 

[Oblesklk]

I think the term has been around forever. Well, at least as long as S&M communities have been able to get together. It's an easy way to label those not of the same mind. A way to build community among some, by ostricizing others 😛 And since we're a offshoot from the greater S&M community (and a sexy offshoot, if I do say so myself), it would make sense we'd opt for some of the lingo.

And yes, I think we have much more in common with each other than the other way around, whether we're vanilla, rocky road, strawberry, or even maple soy...