Bodice rippers
Posted by Shae on September 24, 2004
In Reply to: Ss posted by Bruce Kahl on September 24, 2004
: : Hi there
: : Could anyone tell me what "bodice-heaving trysts" mean?
:
: : heave-rise and fall rhythmically: to rise and fall in a rhythmic or spasmodic way
: : tryst-a secret meeting, or place of meeting, especially between lovers
: I haven't had any "bodice-heaving trysts" in a long time.
: A bodice is an archaic word for the top of a woman's dress.
: "Bodice heaving" is the physical heavy breathing associated with a woman being erotically stimulated.
: A tryst is what you posted above so put the two together and you get a picture of a lusty meeting of two entangled bodies on a dark and stormy night.
: I would think your phrase is used in those cheapo schlocky novels of lust and desire a la J. Susann.
I've heard this genre of novel described thus.