"Snowballing" is a phrase you may or may not be familiar with, but let me tell you, it's pretty grim.
Weird trends and terms sweep the internet almost daily now and it's virtually impossible to keep up with them.
Most of them are completely harmless, but some of them really raise eyebrows.
... And this is one of those times.
I must warn you, if you are easily repulsed then I suggest reading on with caution.
As for the rest of you, consider yourself warned... although that's probably made you want to read more.
"Snowballing" is a term used to describe a specific intimate act in which s*men is passed from one partner to another from mouth to mouth.
I told you it was gross.
This act, often referred to in some circles as "c** swapping," involves the combination of s*men and saliva expanding with each exchange, similar to how a snowball grows as it rolls.
Though the terms "snowballing" and "c** swapping" are frequently used interchangeably, there is a subtle distinction between the two.
Snowballing refers specifically to the partner who received the ejaculate first, while the general sharing of fluids may be referred to as "c** swapping."
This nuance highlights differences in how each term is applied.
When it comes to safety and consent in snowballing, sexologist E. Michelle Thomas offers crucial advice. Speaking to Cosmopolitan, Thomas emphasized the importance of prioritizing health and consent.
"It’s critical to put safety and consent first while participating in snowballing," she said. She advised that all individuals involved should be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before considering participation to ensure a safe experience.
Ultimately, snowballing, like many intimate activities, is a deeply personal choice. It requires open communication, mutual consent, and attention to well-being.
If you're horrified then fear not, because so are others.
"REALLY wish I hadn't looked up the meaning of 'snowballing' in urban dictionary," one person wrote on X.
Another person wrote online: "Gross. Not interested. There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell my significant other would be keen either."
Interestingly, the Cosmopolitan article also explains that snowballing also occurs in the animal kingdom.
In Animals, Deviance, and Sex, Carmen Cusack discusses the reproductive behavior of male cichlid fish, noting that they blow sperm into a female’s mouth, where she holds her eggs, to facilitate fertilization.
However, Cusack clarifies that this differs from the human kink known as snowballing.
While the fish's act is driven by reproduction, snowballing is "considered deviant in spite of insemination and conception," emphasizing the contrast between biological necessity and human sexual behavior.
The article also delves into how to snowball successfully but honestly, it seems pretty self-explanatory.
If you'll excuse me, I need to go and sit quietly and not think about this for a while.
