What does the label "swinger" mean? As opposed to being in an open relationship?

The term swinger is often used to describe couples. These couples become intimate with other people or swinging couples. More description at the Wikipedia article. Open relationship usually implies one member of the couple having sexual relations with a third party without the other couple member around.

Are you in the Craigslist ‘Personals’ again?

Swingers trade mates with other swingers.

@peedub: har har, no I’m not. I was just curious from the myspace “relationship status” options they have.

^^ It defines a person who types on an iPhone.

Where I come from, “swinger” has the connotation of the pursuit of recreational, “no strings” sex, whereas “open relationship” generally means having other relationships besides your primary partner (as in, caring and support and dates and dinner, not just sex).

See also polyamory or read the Ethical Slut for more information about the latter.

However, “open relationship” can mean “just sex,” and “swinging” usually doesn’t refer to the maintenance of a relationship. YMMV.

it means Pancakes alllllllll dayyyyy.

By the way, for what it’s worth, I bet that most whores are not actually sex-crazed, at least not any more than retail workers are customer-service-crazed or waitrons are crazy about bringing you your ketchup and asking if you would like more coffee.

Swinger to me always meant couples that would actively seek other partners, usually together.

Whereas an open relationship implied if one partner met someone who they ‘clicked’ with and ended up in a bed somewhere ‘clicking’ the night away, that was ok as long as they followed whatever the guidelines of the relationship were.

You could ask JUDYXYC.. She’s apparently been considering it for the last couple of months

Yay, Laureth! You’re the first other person I’ve met who uses the term “waitrons.” Yesterday I even had to explain it to someone! As if it isn’t obvious!?!

Swinging is fun. Polyamory? Fun as well, but requires a serious will to making things work on a grander scale. A scale that doesn’t revolve around sex.