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About this quote

What does it mean?
Pepys describes a sexual encounter with Mrs. Martin using a mix of French and Spanish to express pleasure.
In plain terms
He had sex with Mrs. Martin and enjoyed it.
What can you take from it?
People often use foreign languages to euphemize intimate acts.

Where it applies

  • historical diaries
  • private journals
  • memoirs

Putting it to work

  • analyze historical social norms
  • study language use in intimacy

Questions to consider

  • How do people historically record private matters?
  • Why use foreign words for intimate acts?

Another view

The quote is explicit and may be considered inappropriate for general audiences.

More from Samuel Pepys

  1. The truth is, I do indulge myself a little the more in pleasure, knowing that this is the proper age of my life to do it; and out of my observation that most m…

    Permalink to quote #12
  2. We to a little ale-house on the Bankside, over against the Three Cranes, and there stayed till it was dark almost, and saw the fire grow; and, as it grew darke…

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. Musique and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business is.

    Permalink to quote #11

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