For a potential patron of the adult industry it always helps to know the basic lingo before attempting to submerge oneself in it and shell out some serious bucks. Many of the terms are self-explanatory, but some can be confusing for the naive or sheltered. These are the basic terms (along with explanations) that one may run across when looking to buy sex toys, subscribe to an adult website or hire an escort:

• Adult industry: The adult industry is otherwise called the "sex industry." However, it does not always have to refer to physical sexual intercourse. Many aspects of the industry do not deal directly with physical contact. For instance, adult modeling, phone sex, strip clubs, adult magazines, sex toys and erotic literature do not require people to get it on with each other in order to stimulate or excite one's passions. However, other aspects of the adult industry does, including escorts and prostitutes. In short, the adult industry involves anything that provides sexual entertainment.
• Sex worker: Sex worker is a current phrase used to describe an individual who works in the adult industry.
• Provider: Provider is a non-personal term, and it is used mostly on the Internet when referring to a person who offers some sort of services related to the adult industry.
• Girl: A generic description used for the women in the adult industry, girl is not intended to be demeaning or condescending. Many women in the industry use it to refer to other women who work in similar career paths.
• Prostitute: A prostitute is an individual who exchanges sex for money or other forms of compensation. This term is a basic one that can be used in many instances. Prostitutes typically charge per the act, not the time involved. Prostitution is illegal in most jurisdictions.
• Escort: Unlike prostitutes, escorts are legal, as they exchange their time for donations. Whatever happens within this time is completely up to the escort and his or her client. He or she can provide a stimulating conversation, a company for a social function, or sexual intimacy, back rubs, dinner dates, and stripteases in addition to other requests to clients. Escorts typically advertise on the Internet and charge by the hour or a longer block of time.
• Paid companion: A paid companion is an escort person who acts as a friend, confidant and lover and provides emotional connection over a longer period of time. He or she may visit with a client for several hours or days at a time. Many escorts may be considered paid companions if they have long-term clients they travel with or see regularly.
• Courtesan: Courtesan is a historic term that refers to women who received money and living support from men in exchange for providing pleasure to them in many aspects of their lives. Courtesans were historically from Europe and Asia, and they were well educated, beautiful, intelligent and conversational. Courtesans never charge by the hour and only have a few clients. True courtesans are rare in today's world. To learn more about courtesans, please read our article about Veronica Franco.
• Mistress: Women who act as mistresses don't regularly advertise their services on the Internet and typically have only one client or patron at a time. Even though the client or patron usually has a spouse, it is usually mutually agreed upon that the mistress is loyal to the client. Mistresses with their emotions and expectations pose a far greater danger to client's official life than escorts.
• Independent escort (indie): An escort who is an indie is a person who works for him or herself. He or she does not work through an agency or pimp and, often, has a personal website.
• Girlfriend experience (GFE): Clients who wish to have a more intimate or romantic experience with an escort may request a GFE. Services may be extended to French kissing and more emotional depth during the encounter, or you can spend your date watching cartoons.
• Porn Star experience (PSE): Some experts claim that the PSE is the GFE with Greek, pearl necklace, and/or CIM. Clients who request the PSE are sometimes looking for services such as rimming, toys, sexual S/M and wilder elements of sex. Porn stars tour the country promoting their careers and may offer their ware for $1,000 to $1,500 per hour.
• Agency: An agency is a business that promotes and arranges dates with escorts. The agency sets up dates, receives payments and takes care of keeping track of all phone numbers, etc. They hire escorts or contract escorts to work for them.
• Studio / spa: Customers meet providers at a studio or spa in many large cities. Customers are greeted at a front desk and directed to a room in the back, after choosing their choice of provider. Many of these businesses are disguised as massage parlors. Clients pay a flat fee at the door and may pay extra later for special services that may include sexual favors.
• Pimp: A pimp is a person who arranges dates and encounters for prostitutes, in exchange for a cut of the profits.
• Hobbyist: An Internet term, a hobbyist regularly reviews and makes comments about escorts online. The lowliest among them may threaten escorts with bad reviews unless they are given special discounts or favors.
• Client: A client is a person who pays for time with an escort. Slang terms may include: tricks, johns or customers. Many escorts feel it inappropriate to refer to them as anything less than a client because that's where their income is coming from.
• Incall: An incall is an appointment with an escort where the client comes to a place of escort's choosing. It can be an apartment or a hotel room.
• Outcall: An outcall is an appointment with an escort where the escort travels to the client for the encounter.