Male Equivalent
For male mistress, the more general term "lover" can be used, but does not carry the same implications. "Paramour" is sometimes used, but this term can apply to either partner in an illicit relationship, so it is not exclusively male.
In 18th- and 19th-century Venice, the terms cicisbeo and cavalier servente were used to describe a man who was the professed gallant and lover of a married woman. Another word that has been used for a male mistress is gigolo, though this carries connotations of payment and prostitution. In the film titled Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo, it is suggested the word gigolo could also be a female, as if a man being paid for sexual favors is acting like a woman.
Since the late 20th century, the terms "Pool boy," "Fitness trainer" or "Tennis instructor," were each used to designated males in the role, with the implication of lower social status, youth, and physical fitness leading to a financial relationship to the wealthier married woman.
Some use the term adulterer or fornicator to define a male mistress. An adulterer is a married person who has sex with a person other than their legal spouse. A fornicator is an unmarried person who has sex with an unmarried person.
Read more about this topic: Mistress (lover)
Famous quotes containing the words male and/or equivalent:
“Many people now believe that if fathers are more involved in raising children than they were, children and sons in particular will learn that men can be warm and supportive of others as well as be high achievers. Thus, fathers’ involvement may be beneficial not because it will help support traditional male roles, but because it will help break them down.”
—Joseph H. Pleck (20th century)
“When the apple is ripe it will fall.”
—Irish proverb.
An English equivalent to this might be, “To everything there is a season.”