About

Frotting, also known as to Frot or Frottage, is a slang term predominantly used by gay men that defines the non-penetrative sexual act of touching penises. The origin of the word "frotting" predates internet history, however, it later became the subject of memes across social media, specifically peaking in the early 2020s.

Origin

The term "frotting" dates back to the 1970s, evident in interviews with writer Bill Weintraub who used the words "frotting," "frot" and "frottage" to describe penis-to-penis contact in his 1970s series of essays Cockrub Warriors.^[1] "Frotting" was first added to Urban Dictionary ^[2] on May 16th, 2003, by user shvdhead who defined it as, "Dry humping" (shown below).

frotting Dry humping by shvdhead May 16, 2003 292 386

Spread

Despite the word "frotting" predating internet history and its usage sporadically appearing online amid the 2000s and 2010s, viral memes and content about frotting didn't surface en masse until the early 2020s. For instance, the first tweet to reference "frotting," "frot" or "frottage" and gain over 1,000 likes was posted by Twitter^[3] user @internetslagg on August 21st, 2022, and received roughly 2,900 likes in 11 months (shown below, left). On August 23rd, 2022, Twitter^[4] user @greenTetra_ tweeted a photo of two bullets that collided with, "frotting," gaining over 700 likes in 11 months (shown below, right).

Kelsey @internetslagg Frotting is when two people rub their penises together 1:59 PM . Aug 21, 2022

Tetrahedron @greenTetra_ frotting 2:43 AM. Aug 23, 2022 ●●●

Around the same time, on July 8th, 2022, Tumblr^[5] user inneskeeper uploaded a text post that used "frotting" in reference to the Assassination of Shinzo Abe and Boris Johnson, gaining roughly 19,500 notes in one year (shown below).

inneskeeper Follow boris johnson in complete disgrace. shinzo abe assassinated. i hope the cw twitter posts a picture of jensen ackles and misha collins frenching and frotting each other's cocks and then turns off their phone next. truly could this day continue

Going into 2023, more memes that referenced frotting surfaced on social media. For instance, on June 23rd, 2023, Twitter^[6] user @evangelainy quote retweeted an iPhone video with, "IPHONE FROTTING?!?!?!?!" gaining roughly 17,800 likes in one month (shown below, left). On July 4th, 2023, Twitter^[7] user @FrenchTwinkette tweeted a meme about frotting, gaining roughly 39,700 likes in nine days (shown below, right).