Source: Arapahoenews.com
USA – Did you know that the third Friday of January is International Fetish Day? At this point, you’ve probably heard of kinks and fetishes. The words likely conjure images of BDSM gear, which is certainly a valid association. However, kinks and fetishes go much further than “just” BDSM – both historically and in terms of what they encompass.
According to Merriam-Webster, the term “kink” has been adopted into the sexual sphere. It was originally (and continues to be) used in context to identify that something was different or peculiar. However, it now also means “unconventional sexual taste or behavior” (Merriam-Webster, 2025). Similarly, the term “fetish” first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. At this time, the term referred to objects that were thought to have supernatural powers. By the end of the 1800s, the term had become more associated with objects that one found to be particularly sexually arousing. In essence, “kink” is the overarching concept of non-conventional sexual interests while “fetish” refers to the specific act or object one is interested in.
