Masturbation - Etymology

Etymology

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The English word masturbation was introduced in the 18th century, based on the Latin verb masturbari, alongside the more technical and slightly earlier onanism. The Latin verb masturbari is of uncertain origin. Suggested derivations include an unattested word for penis, *mazdo, cognate with Greek mézea μέζεα, "genitals", or alternatively a corruption of an unattested *manustuprare ("to defile with the hand"), by association with turbare "to disturb". There is a wide array of more recent slang synonyms, among the most notable being to jerk off (1896) and wank (1948).

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