Originally posted by
Jake at 29-5-2008 11:54
Of all the above, only women's underwear is a 'fetish'. A fetish refers to an inanimate object causing sexual desire.
I must disagree with that. Common usages such as 'ass fetish' or foot fetish' suggest differently. A quick check of several online sources gives the following:
1. an object or bodily part whose real or fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification and that is an object of fixation to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual expression (Merriam Webster)
2. Something, such as a material object or a nonsexual part of the body, that arouses sexual desire and may become necessary for sexual gratification. (Answer.com)
3. something nonsexual, such as an object or a part of the body which arouses sexual desire or is necessary for one to reach full sexual satisfaction (Allwords.com)
I think you're confusing the later sexual use with the original meaning of the word: an object (as a small stone carving of an animal) believed to have magical power to protect or aid its owner; broadly : a material object regarded with superstitious or extravagant trust or reverence
(And Jake, if you're going to quote the Oxford Dictionary, use the full version, not that tiny pocket edition you keep around the house.

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