You ask for it, you get it. All of you who are not grammophiles, kindly ignore.
“Strap on” is a verb, as in, “I’m going to strap on this dildo.” In queer/kink lingo, the object (“this dildo”) is often left out because it’s implicit in context. (In other contexts, not so much: “I’m going to strap on my seatbelt.” Not that anyone actually says that.) But the phrase “strap on” has two components: strap (a verb), and on (a preposition). Together, they make a verbal phrase. A hyphen is not used because the verb will change form according to person and tense (“I strapped on yesterday,” “she loves strapping on” etc.). So as a verbal phrase, it’s “strap on,” two words, no hyphen.
As an adjectival phrase, it needs a hyphen. The rule is that when two or more consecutive words make sense only when understood together as modifying a noun that follows, those words (excluding the noun) need to be hyphenated. Think of, for example, the phrase “small business.” “I own a small business,” but “I belong to a small-business community.” The phrase “small-business” is an adjectival phrase that describes the word “community.” Another example, taking a verbal phrase, might be “follow up.” “I will follow up with you tomorrow,” but “we need to schedule a follow-up call.” The phrase “follow-up” describes what kind of call it will be.
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “but strap-on isn’t an adjective!!!!!!!” You’re right, sort of. It isn’t anymore. See above, where I said that the verbal phrase “strap on,” in a queer/kink context, has an implied object. Well, it’s sort of the same thing with the adjective version. “Strap-on” is a modifier to the same implied noun that was the implied object of the verbal phrase. So in the above example, it’s “dildo.” Make sense? (So, in line with these rules, “motherfucking” as an adjective really ought to be “mother-fucking,” and why it isn’t is something I’ll never understand. But I digress.)
Now, through lots of use, “strap-on” has acquired nominal function of its own (as has, for example “follow-up”: “let’s schedule a follow-up for next week”) and doesn’t even need a separate noun to modify. It speaks for itself. But grammatically speaking, it follows the rules of an adjectival phrase.
Okay, grammar lesson’s over. Questions? ;)
I usually use “Strap On” or “Strap-On”. Depends on the mood. Though I guess all that really matters is how it feels when Jess is using it on me ;) Kara XOXOXO
Sex and grammar? You might’ve just blown my mind.
oh my. i heart you.
I’ve wondered about this! Thanks for explaining.
This makes me happy. You are too funny! Strap-on totally speaks for itself!
Did you ever realize that “strap on” is “no parts” backwards?
A. *swoon*
B. I think “motherfucker” like “email” has lost its hyphen as it’s become common parlance. Actually, there was a big to-do a couple years ago when the new OED came out and 16,000 formerly hyphenated words lost their hyphens. That would seem to argue that strap-on, as a noun, is destined to become either “strapon” or “strap on”, much like bumble-bee became bumblebee and ice-cream became ice cream.
C. This topic also brings to mind the issue of the related word “hard-on”, which is entering the non-porn lexicon these days more and more as a synonym for enthusiasm. As in, “I totally have a hard-on for language geek lesbians.” Of course, my particular hard-on is a turquoise blue strap-on. *grin*
A. ;)
B. So cool, thanks for the link and that little tidbit. Love it.
C. ;)
[D. I love people who make lists; you made a list in that comment; therefore I love you.]
*grin* It’s kind of ridiculous how happy I am about D.