Glossary
Scissoring
The position with the legs like a scissors, and the technical terms tribadism and frottage around it.
What is scissoring?
Scissoring is a sexual act where two people rub their vulvas together, legs interlocked in the shape of a scissors. It falls under tribadism: rubbing vulva against vulva, or against another body part, to stimulate the clitoris. No penetration is involved.
| In Dutch | used untranslated; Dutch borrows the English word as is |
| Also known as | tribbing, tribadism (the technical term) |
| Category | a sexual act, related to frottage |
| Who does it | often two women, but not only; it’s about the rubbing, not the gender |
| Gives | direct clitoral stimulation, without penetration |
| Note | even without penetration you can catch an STI, so safer sex counts here too |
Where the word comes from
The name comes from the position. Both partners’ legs hook together like the blades of a scissors, after which the vulvas press against each other. The encyclopedia files scissoring under tribadism, meaning vulva-to-vulva contact or rubbing the vulva against thigh, belly, or another body part to arouse the clitoris. So scissoring is one specific position within that broader practice, not a thing on its own.
Why people do it
The appeal is in the equality and in skin against skin. There is no giver and no receiver. Both move, both feel, and the clitoris gets direct pressure. A stubborn misconception is that it can only happen between two women. Anyone can do it, whatever their gender or genitals, because it comes down to the rubbing itself. Gender is beside the point here. What it isn’t: risk-free. Even without penetration you can catch an STI through skin contact, so a conversation about testing belongs to it just as much.
Where this fits on this site
Scissoring is something between partners themselves, not a service I offer. What I do do is explain what a term means, without judgment, so you know what you’re talking about. If you have a question about sex or intimacy that does fit, you’re always welcome to ask it.
Sources
- Tribadism. Wikipedia. Gives the definition of tribadism as vulva-to-vulva contact or rubbing the vulva against another body part for clitoral stimulation, and the scissoring position with the legs interlocked like a scissors.
Related terms
- Sexual acts. The broader category scissoring falls under.
- Frottage. Rubbing against each other in the broader sense, clothed or naked, of which scissoring is a focused form.
- Safer sex. Why sex without penetration also calls for agreements about testing and protection.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this term
What is scissoring?
Scissoring is a sexual act where two people rub their vulvas together, legs interlocked in the shape of a scissors. It falls under tribadism and stimulates the clitoris with no penetration involved.
Can you get an STI from scissoring?
Yes, you can catch an STI from scissoring too. There is no penetration, but STIs like HPV or herpes can pass through skin-on-skin contact. So get tested just as you would with other forms of sex.
Who can you turn to with questions about scissoring?
Scissoring isn’t something I offer as a gigolo, but you can bring a question about sex or intimacy to me without it getting awkward. I’m Victor. For the medical side, your GP or a Centrum Seksuele Gezondheid (a Dutch sexual health clinic) is the right place. Feel free to ask your question with no obligation or through free chat.
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Still have questions about scissoring?
I'm Victor, a gigolo. Scissoring isn't something I offer, but you're always welcome to ask me a question about sex or intimacy, without judgment and with no obligation. Send me a message, I'll message you back whenever suits you.