Whatever lifts your luggage

A phrase meaning "whatever gives you sexual pleasure" or "whatever sexual activity you enjoy." It's used similarly to "whatever floats your boat," but specifically carries a knowing, often ironic, reference to sexual preferences and activities.

Originates from the excuse used by anti-gay activist George Rekers in 2010 when caught traveling with a male escort ("rent boy"). Rekers absurdly claimed he only hired the young man to literally lift his luggage.

Popularized by sex columnist Dan Savage and comedians like Stephen Colbert, who seized on the flimsy excuse. "Lifting someone's luggage" became a euphemism for providing sexual pleasure, often (but not exclusively) in a same-sex context.

The phrase "Whatever lifts your luggage" extends this to a general, sexually-tinged statement of acceptance for someone's preferences or kinks.

As a general statement of acceptance (like "whatever floats your boat," but sexual):

Person A: "I don't understand their particular fetish."

Person B: "Hey, whatever lifts your luggage, right? Live and let live."

As a euphemism for the sexual act itself (often using the verb form "lift luggage"):

"He claimed he was just going over to 'study', but judging by the sounds, I think they were lifting some luggage."

"After Rekers got caught, everyone joked about whether he found someone else to lift his luggage."
With direct ironic reference to the origin:

"He spends all day condemning 'the lifestyle' online, but you just know he's secretly looking for someone to help lift his luggage."

by C41n March 25, 2025

Whatever seasons your pickle

Same thing as whatever floats your boat

Someone would say some thing, and then you would say whatever seasons your pickle

by Heluvsko December 20, 2022

In terms of whatever

“In terms of whatever,” despite one’s best philosophical pondering, means absolutely nothing. It is a phrase designed to irritate someone with its inanity.

“What are you speaking in terms of?”
“In terms of whatever. Could be anything.”

by DennisInAtor July 17, 2023

idk whatever

when you dk whatever

idk whatever

by pifsadjofksdjofkasdf February 7, 2023

whatever i dont want to waste time talking to you

basically, the person who tells you this, is the fucking worst person, so do not be friend with that person cuz I have a friend like that, she just texted me that cuz we are in an argument, they are very toxic peeps.

'(the argument or whatsoever), whatever i dont want to waste time talking to you...(the emoji which have its eyes rolling)'

by iamunknowncuzwhynot? May 21, 2020

Whatever

Is “whatever” dismissive and negative in response to someone?

I don’t understand why you can’t pick up your laundry?

“Whatever...”

by anonymous December 18, 2020

Whatever

A weird way to say "Hello" in the ship of fools server

Whatever, Fellow fool!

by Meckabone March 7, 2023