It is said to be commonly used in
Wales. ("Welsh AEdoelogy," Kryptadia, vol. ii, pp. 358, et seq.)
In Cornwall, when addressed by a woman to a man it is sometimes
regarded as a deadly insult, even if the woman is young and
attractive, and may cause a life-long enmity between related
families. From this point of view the nates are a symbol of
contempt, and any sexual significance is excluded. (The
distinction is brought out by Diderot in _Le Neveu de Rameau:_
"_Lui:_--Il y a d'autres jours ou il ne m'en couterait rien pour
etre vil tant qu'on voudrait; ces jours-la, pour un liard, je
baiserais le cul a la petite Hus. _Moi:_--Eh! mais, l'ami, elle
est blanche, jolie, douce, potelee, et c'est un acte d'humilite
auquel un plus delicat que vous pourrait quelquefois s'abaisser.
_Lui:_--Entendons-nous; c'est qu'il y a baiser le cul au simple,
et baiser le cul au figure.")
It must be added that a sexual form of exhibitionism of the nates
must still be recognized. It occurs in masochism and expresses
the desire for passive flagellation. Rousseau, whose emotional
life was profoundly affected by the castigations which as a child
he received from Mlle Lambercier, has in his _Confessions_ told
us how, when a youth, he would sometimes expose himself in this
way in the presence of young women.
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