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"Sadism" and "masochism" come from Sade and Sacher-Masoch
"Sadism" is named after the French writer the Marquis de Sade; "masochism" after the Austrian writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. Psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing fixed them as medical terms in Psychopathia Sexualis (1886).
MaiHimeka-san! I know this one! "Sadism" means eating tons of salad! Salad-ism! And "masochism" is majo-ism — becoming a witch!
Himeka...Sigh. Stop building words from vibes alone. Sadism comes from the French writer the Marquis de Sade. Masochism comes from the Austrian writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. Both are named after people.
MaiWhaaat!? People's names!? So Sade liked hurting people!? And Masoch liked being hurt!?
Himeka...Well, that's how they're usually read, roughly. Sade is known for novels about domination and cruelty. Sacher-Masoch, in works like Venus in Furs, portrayed pain and humiliation as pleasure. Later terms borrowed their names from those styles and tastes.
MaiHuh. Then who named it "sadism"!? Sade himself!?
HimekaNo. The psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing. In Psychopathia Sexualis (1886) he classified and described such preferences. Masochism is said to be his coinage; for sadism, French sadisme and similar words already existed, and the usual account is that he fixed them as medical terms.
MaiHard!! So the letters "S" and "M" are their initials too!? Not Super and Mega!?
HimekaNot Super and Mega!! When people casually say "S" and "M," they mean the initials of sadism and masochism. Japanese slang like "do-S" and "do-M" comes from that too.
MaiGot it...! I'll remember Sade and Sacher-Masoch, not salad and witches! I'll nail it if it shows up in a quiz!
HimekaThat mnemonic is fine. Just remember: word origins and consent or safety in real relationships are different topics. ...Even if you ace the quiz, I won't be impressed.
Himeka's summary
- "Sadism" is named after the French writer the Marquis de Sade (Donatien Alphonse François de Sade, 1740–1814), known for novels depicting domination and cruelty.
- "Masochism" is named after the Austrian writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (1836–1895). The term comes from works such as Venus in Furs (Venus im Pelz), which portrayed pain and humiliation as pleasure.
- Psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing (1840–1902) classified these in Psychopathia Sexualis (1886). Masochism is his coinage; French sadisme already existed, and he fixed them as medical terms in the usual account. Casual "S" and "M" come from these words.
Sources
General trivia only. For anything that needs a medical call, talk to a doctor. All characters are adults.
Translated from the Japanese original. Sources are unchanged.