clowning (v., n.) the act of engaging in erotic clown play

Laura and Derrick only recently joined the clowning community, but they had already stocked up on rubber chickens and whimsical dildos.

We talked last week about how fear can make you horny. So if you’re looking to be somewhat terrified and also get off, look no further than the world of clowning. Clowning, also known as clown play or coulrophilia, describes sexual arousal in the presence of clowns. It’s why the search term “Pennywise” returns a curious amount of results on Pornhub and why “clown escort” is a profession.

Clowns can be extremely creepy, as anyone who has read Stephen King can attest, but coulrophiles flip that fear into pleasure by dressing up as clowns for their bedroom romps. There are Reddit communities and online forums dedicated to the fetish, where coulrophiles trade videos of fetish performances and share their wildest fantasies. Something about the look of white makeup; an impossibly wide, painted-on smile; and a neon pink clown wig is equal parts menacing and sexy for some people, resulting in what is often called a “feargasm.”

There’s often a light BDSM element to clown play, in which the clown takes on the dominant role and the partner takes on the role of the submissive. The sub, helpless and frozen in terror, is taunted with spankings and insults and, if they’re really kinky, maybe even squirted in the face with a fake flower.

As you’re dressing up this weekend for what will hopefully be a safe at-home Halloween, maybe trade the French maid look for some big red shoes and a whoopee cushion.