I regret to say that

[cimorene]

I've observed a gradual rise in fanfiction in general, and now a rather sharp rise in Good Omens fanfiction in particular, of writers attempting to use "bottom" and even "rear" in a sexy context.

It's a truly sobering reflection that this phenomenon could soon be frequent enough to qualify as a pet peeve, something that wasn't even in my darkest imaginings the first time I had the misfortune to read it so many years ago.

Comments

[alexseanchai]

I can see both of those, though outside of dialogue where the humor is a deliberate part of the flirting (ex: in context of forex 69ing, "bottoms up"), not easily.

[cimorene]

But I would define that as it being used for humor. It's not trying to be read as sexy - the effect it has on the atmosphere has been taken into account there.

[vass]

If this is an escalating trend, the next steps are "behind" and then "derriere".

It could be worse. Better than "bum" and then "botty".

[brownbetty]

Does 'botty' refer to hind-quarters? I thought it was a weird way of saying 'body'.

[cimorene]

No, I've def. seen it used as slang for 'bottom', but only in a self-conscious or kinda twee way that is probably less likely to work its way accidentally into an attempted sexy scene.

[hypertwink]

It could even be much worse.

Bussy.

[cimorene]

No, behind is already on the rise as well, it's just not as common as 'bottom'. It's... probably about equal with 'rear' and 'rear end' combined, I'd say. Maybe more common.

[armadillo1976]

Hi! Asking as a a non-native speaker: why is this jarring? Like, are these words used in talking to children? Or too euphemistic? Or...? Genuine question - this is not really the stuff that your typical "English as a foreign language" classes focus on. I wish, though ;-)

[alexseanchai]

They're children-safe and/or polite words, yes. Not usually the right tone for erotica.

[cimorene]

Exactly as alexseanchai says, and my word 'context' up there was getting at the same thing. They are jarring because they're used in the wrong context, whereas in other contexts (where said characters would realistically use them in character at least, which is not always the case either) they would flow naturally because they're what's expected.