In baseball, the phrase “going to second base” is used as a euphemism for intimate sexual contact short of intercourse. The “bases” refer to stages of physical intimacy, with first base being kissing and fondling, second base being more intimate touching of private parts, third base being oral sex, and a “home run” referring to full sexual intercourse. This metaphorical system originated in the early 20th century and is still commonly used today, especially in American pop culture and slang.
What Does Second Base Mean in Baseball?
Here’s a quick overview of what each base represents in the baseball metaphor for sexual activity:
- First Base – Kissing, french kissing, making out
- Second Base – Touching or stimulating private parts, manual stimulation
- Third Base – Oral sex
- Home Run – Sexual intercourse
So second base specifically refers to intimate touching below the waist, including stimulating the genitals. This could involve touching bare genitals or stimulating through clothing. The exact acts considered “second base” can vary somewhat depending on who’s defining the terms, but it generally includes manual stimulation of erogenous zones.
Origin of the Baseball Metaphor
Using baseball as a metaphor for sex dates back to at least the early 20th century in American culture. By the 1930s and 40s, the terms “first base,” “second base,” etc. were widely used as sexual slang, especially among teenagers and young adults. The terms allowed people to discretely refer to intimate acts without having to name them explicitly.
The metaphor caught on because baseball was the most popular sport in the U.S. at the time, so using baseball terms helped make sexual topics more accessible and less taboo. The system also fit nicely with the escalating nature of intimate contact leading up to full intercourse. baseball rules-correct terminology such as ‘run’ vs ‘point’. Just noticed in re-reading.
Evolution of the Term “Second Base”
While the baseball metaphor took hold decades ago, the specific acts associated with each base have evolved over time:
- Early 1900s – Second base was kissing/fondling over clothes
- 1950s – Second base shifted to touching under clothes
- 1960s – Second base became manual stimulation/fingering
- Today – Second base involves directly touching bare genitals
So the literal acts that “going to second base” refers to have become more sexually intimate over the course of the 20th century. But it still retains the meaning of intimate contact while stopping short of actual sex. The term remains ubiquitous today, though some consider it juvenile or crass.
Usage and Nuance
While the baseball metaphor is commonly used in a lighthearted or humorous way, there are some problematic aspects of how the term “second base” is sometimes applied:
- It can imply that intimate contact should escalate in a step-by-step linear fashion, when in reality consent should be actively negotiated every step of the way.
- The metaphor can encourage competitiveness around sexual “scoring” rather than focusing on mutual pleasure and emotional intimacy.
- Some use “second base” as a benchmark for when intimate contact becomes “real,” though in reality there is no single defining act.
So while the baseball metaphor is mostly used innocuously, conversations around consent, mutuality, and intimacy should take priority over any notion of “base-running.” Focusing too much on the metaphor can distract from more meaningful aspects of sexual communication and relationships.
Second Base vs. Other Intimate Acts
What distinguishes second base from other intimate acts? Here’s a quick rundown:
- First Base: Limited to kissing/making out. Does not involve below-the-waist touching.
- Second Base: Involves manually stimulating genitals, either directly or over clothing.
- Third Base: Oral stimulation – typically oral sex but could include manual stimulation as part of foreplay.
- Home run: Sexual intercourse involving penetration. The “full” sexual act.
Of course, real intimate behavior doesn’t always follow this linear progression. But in general second base marks a significant escalation from first base into intimate touching, while stopping short of oral or penetrative sex. The range of specific acts considered “second base” also varies between individuals and relationships.
Second Base vs. Hooking Up
“Hooking up” is a broader term for intimate physical contact that encompasses a wider range of behaviors. While definitions vary, hooking up usually means some form of intimate touching or oral sex, without going all the way to intercourse. So second base would generally be considered a form of hooking up, along with third base activities.
Hooking up implies a more casual intimate encounter outside of a committed relationship. Second base activities could certainly happen in a hookup context between friends or casual partners. However, second base could also apply within a romantic relationship as part of foreplay before sex.
In Popular Culture
The baseball metaphor, including second base, remains widely used in U.S. popular culture, for example:
- In the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, Barney often discusses his sex life in baseball terms and even writes a song about the bases.
- Rock songs like “Second Base” by STRFKR and “Got to Second Base” by The Ravyns use baseball euphemisms.
- John Hughes’ 80s teen movie Sixteen Candles includes a scene of characters discussing second base vs. third base activities.
- On The Simpsons, the character Ralph Wiggum sings “I’m being coached to second base” innocently about his teacher, not understanding the sexual implications.
The pervasiveness of the metaphor speaks to how engrained baseball is in American culture. Despite being considered juvenile by some, “second base” remains widely recognized slang for intimate sexual touching today.
Regional and Cultural Variations
While baseball terminology is pervasive in the U.S., other English-speaking cultures have their own sports-related metaphors:
- United Kingdom: Tends to use cricket or football/soccer metaphors, like “hitting a six” or “scoring a goal.”
- Australia: Also favors cricket terms, like “bowled a maiden over.”
- Other languages: Commonly use metaphorical phrases around scoring points, like “third point” in French (troisième base).
So the specific baseball/second base metaphor is uniquely American. But using sports euphemisms for intimate activities crosses many cultures. These slang terms allow coy references to sex across languages.
Second Base in LGBTQ Relationships
Within LGBTQ relationships, the concept of “bases” is sometimes reframed since intercourse and penile penetration do not necessarily define the “home run.” Queer and non-hetero partners may redefine the bases in various ways:
- Focus on other specific sex acts like oral sex as the “full” act
- Emphasize emotional intimacy over specific physical acts
- Consider any mutual orgasm the “home run” rather than one particular sex act
The flexible interpretation of “bases” speaks to how the heteronormative framework doesn’t always fit non-straight intimacy. But the general idea of escalating physical intimacy can still apply across all kinds of relationships and orientations.
Second Base and the Law
The legal age of consent for sexual activity varies between 16-18 in most U.S. states. In states where the age of consent is 18, any sexual touching with a minor under 18 – including second base acts – could qualify as statutory rape or a similar offense. So while second base by itself may be seen as “fooling around,” it still has legal implications in many jurisdictions if involving a minor. Parents, educators and others should be aware that second base behaviors cross the legal line and could carry serious penalties.
Conclusion
While the baseball metaphor has its limitations, “second base” remains a widely understood colloquialism for intimate sexual contact stopping short of intercourse. The acts considered “second base” have evolved over time but still center on intimate manual stimulation. The euphemism allows coy references to sexual topics, but also risks oversimplifying intimate relationships. In the end, open communication matters far more than any sports analogy when negotiating physical intimacy and consent.