Premium Content:

Why cherries though? A short history of the sexual fruit

shutterstock_300777101

The cherry has long been a symbol of virginity in culture, as we all know. It is commonplace to use the phrase to ‘pop your cherry’ but where and when did that come about? According to British lexicographer Jonathon Green, people were sexualising cherries as early as the 16th century.

- Advertisement -

Of course, the shape and growth of the stone fruit reminds one of male reproductive organs, but there is more than one way the cherry had been perverted. Inspired by the dark colour of the black cherry, 16th and 17th century Britons would use the fruit to describe the shade of a woman’s pubic hair.

A more contemporary resurgence in usage spawns from the early 20th century, based on the idea of ripeness as opposed to shape or colour. Ripeness, in this sense, pertains to the notion of something that can has a prime time to be consumed – lest it wither and die. The physical loss of a hymen, the conceptual loss of innocence, the expiry of the fruit.

It should also be considered that cherries are not exclusively popped; they can be picked, busted, broken, copped, gotten and cracked. Virgins have historically been dubbed ‘cherry-boys’, and their penises ‘cherry-splitters’.

One might remember these facts while binge-watching ‘Twin Peaks’ or listening to The Runaways for an alternative reading of the text.

Latest

Kim Petras returns with ‘I Like Ur Look’

The new track is a mix of hyper pop and rock vibes.

Pentagon says Netflix series ‘Boots’ is part of an ideological agenda

The show has been a huge hit for Netflix but the current US administration doesn't appear to be fans of the show.

WA government releases draft plan for suicide prevention

Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammatt says all Western Australians have a role to play.

On This Gay Day | ‘Holding the Man’ author Tim Conigrave died

His memoir became widely acclaimed as queer literature since its publication in 1995.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Kim Petras returns with ‘I Like Ur Look’

The new track is a mix of hyper pop and rock vibes.

Pentagon says Netflix series ‘Boots’ is part of an ideological agenda

The show has been a huge hit for Netflix but the current US administration doesn't appear to be fans of the show.

WA government releases draft plan for suicide prevention

Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammatt says all Western Australians have a role to play.

On This Gay Day | ‘Holding the Man’ author Tim Conigrave died

His memoir became widely acclaimed as queer literature since its publication in 1995.

High court backs decision to bar Candace Owens from Australia

The US pundit was challenging a ruling from the Australian government that barred her from the country.

Kim Petras returns with ‘I Like Ur Look’

The new track is a mix of hyper pop and rock vibes.

Pentagon says Netflix series ‘Boots’ is part of an ideological agenda

The show has been a huge hit for Netflix but the current US administration doesn't appear to be fans of the show.

WA government releases draft plan for suicide prevention

Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammatt says all Western Australians have a role to play.