Top, bottom, switch

The terms top, bottom, and switch are used to describe roles during a sexual act, or they may more broadly denote a psychological, social, or sexual identity, or indicate one's usual preference.^[1] The terms top, bottom, and switch are also used in BDSM, with slightly different meanings. In BDSM, a top is the person doing something to someone else, and a bottom is the person receiving that act.^[2]^[3] In both contexts, the terms top and bottom refer to active and passive roles, not to who is physically on top in a particular sexual act.^[1] A switch is someone who can act as both a top and bottom. The older term versatile is sometimes used instead of switch.^[4]

^ ^a ^b Jones, Angela (2013). A Critical Inquiry into Queer Utopias. Springer. pp. 111–112. ISBN 978-1137311979.
^ "Dominant Honorifics in BDSM". KYNK 101. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
^ "Submissive Honorifics in BDSM". KYNK 101. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
^ Langdridge, Darren; Richards, C.; John Barker, Meg (2007). Safe, Sane and Consensual: Contemporary Perspectives on Sadomasochism. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 140. ISBN 978-0230517745.

[Terms-1] Jones, Angela (2013). A Critical Inquiry into Queer Utopias. Springer. pp. 111–112. ISBN 978-1137311979.

[2] "Dominant Honorifics in BDSM". KYNK 101. Retrieved 2022-09-24.

[3] "Submissive Honorifics in BDSM". KYNK 101. Retrieved 2022-09-24.

[SSS-4] Langdridge, Darren; Richards, C.; John Barker, Meg (2007). Safe, Sane and Consensual: Contemporary Perspectives on Sadomasochism. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 140. ISBN 978-0230517745.

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