According to the Oxford Dictionaries: "(2) Slang , a sexual activity of homosexuals involving mutual masturbation." According to Fintan O'Toole's review of Edward Mendelson's "Complete Works of W.H. Auden" (vols. V and VI) in the New York Review of Books of Oct. 22, 2015, the expression was used by W.H. Auden in his essay on J.R. Ackerley's memoir, "My Father and Myself". Auden made it into the OED with two citations (for first use in print) from this essay of his, for "plain-sewing" and for "Princeton-First-Year", which means frottage, or rubbing, generally. Using the hyphen better distinguishes the expression from its main usage, that is, to refer to simple sewing.
Bruce and Wayne started with just a little plain-sewing in the shower, but then quickly threw themselves into bed and gave it everything they had.
by AlienAl April 18, 2025