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Sex and shopping

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Sex and shopping'?

A type of novel where the plot revolves around the affluent consumer lifestyle and sexual encounters of the characters.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Sex and shopping'?

This genre of novel, also called ‘bonkbuster’ or just ‘S&S’, came into prominence during the 1980s. The first reference to it that I can find in print is from The Ladies’ Home Journal, May 1985:

“Jackie Collins, charming, vibrant and stunningly attractive, could serve as at least a minor character in one of her sex-and-shopping-among-the-rich-and-famous page-turners.”

See also – power dressing.

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Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Sex and shopping

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