What's the difference between "naturism" and "nudism"?
Some people make distinctions between "naturists" and "nudists." To some people the differences (whatever they perceive them to be) are quite important, but many people use the terms interchangeably today. When asked to use one or the other, I usually call myself a "naturist" because I like the association of that word with "natural". However, in actuality I prefer neither term - I'd rather be known as "a regular guy who likes to be nude."
The rest of this section, contributed by Durand Stieger, goes into more detail (more than I did, anyway) about the differences between "naturists" and "nudists." Please note that I have not edited Durand's words - any opinions expressed are his, although I agree with much of what he has to say.
While nudism has long been defined in dictionaries, naturism has not. Indeed, the word "naturist" is only recently beginning to be added. In USA Today, the words nudism and naturism may be best defined by the two principal organizations representing these "-ism's": the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). Both organizations believe in the essential wholesomeness, naturalness, and healthfulness of social nudity. AANR has, since its beginning as the American Sunbathing Association (ASA), represented nudists on private property -- generally at its privately-owned nudist campgrounds and resorts -- and expects its members to be "clothed when practical, unclothed when possible." TNS has been the primary champion of clothing-optional use of appropriate public lands. And both organizations have some areas of overlap, both in activities and membership.
However, most of us wonder less about the "-ism's" and more about the differences, if any, between nudist and naturist -- and, more particularly: Which should we consider ourselves to be? Nudist and naturist can perhaps best be defined by their stereotypes, both of which relate to their typical environments. Of course, all nudists and naturists have that common belief in the essential wholesomeness, naturalness, and healthfulness of social nudity.
The stereotypical nudist prefers to enjoy social nudity at enclosed private-property sites, safe from prying eyes or harassment from the law. She enjoys use of the facilities and amenities which these campgrounds and resorts provide. She prefers organizational structure -- if not to participate in, then at least for the rules and regulations afforded. And she enjoys the social structure and activities which many private sites provide.
The stereotypical naturist prefers to commune with nature in the open outdoors -- e.g., at a lake, stream, beach, or wilderness setting -- without the feeling of being enclosed behind tall fences. She needs few, if any, facilities or amenities -- preferring, instead, an undisturbed natural setting. She wants no organizational structure, thank you, nor any list of rules or regulations imposed on her (beyond basic beach etiquette, that is). And she needs no social structure or activities; if there are some friends to visit with, that's fine, but it's also fine to be alone or with just a companion or two. Further, since the stereotypical naturist usually uses public lands for her nude recreation, she realizes that these clothing - optional areas may have clothed users as well.
To many of us nude recreationists do not entirely match either above stereotype. Instead, we are somewhere along the continuum between these two (and even extending somewhat beyond each). For example, if half the time you prefer a naturist site on a beach or stream, while the other half you prefer nudist activities at a resort with amenities, then you are about halfway between these two on that continuum.
Before Lee Baxandall formed The Naturist Society, "naturist" was the European equivalent to the American word "nudist" (as in the International Naturist Federation, the international nudist organization headquartered in Europe). Americans formerly known as "free beachers," or just "skinny-dippers”, overnight became "naturists" -- when Lee then pulled the term out from under the nudists and gave it new meaning in America. The former free beachers readily adopted the new term, particularly as it emphasized the aspects of "nature" and "natural" so dear to free beachers.
There are those of us who believe that the use of two different labels for us, nudist and naturist, is divisive -- and that we are really all pretty much the same, so we should treat the two terms as synonymous. While they are entitled to their synonymous-view opinion, they should not take umbrage when others wish to use the two terms separately -- in reference to organizational and/or philosophical denotations. Perhaps when the day arrives that AANR and TNS are either no longer needed nor have identical objectives, then a common label will suit both.
Thus, each of us is free to choose whatever label for ourselves that we like best. Nudist, naturist, skinny-dipper, free beacher -- whatever -- and we are free to use one label at one time and another at another time, as our mood fancies. Some Naturists also see purpose to considering Naturism as a belief, to be respected and afforded protections, and these people, plus those of us who wish to show respect for this view, use Naturist and Naturism in their capitalized form.
Almost every adult in America knows (or think they know) what "nudist" means, while very few know what "naturist" means. However, it is far better and more accurate for us to identify ourselves as naturists as we influence the public toward tolerance of appropriate clothing-optional areas on public lands.
It is also vital that we steadfastly maintain, to ourselves and the public that overt sexual activity has nothing whatever to do with naturism or nudism. A common public myth is that social nudity involves or promotes sexual activity. And we also know that some individuals and businesses, with sexual agendas of their own, see us as a nude, liberal-minded, meat-market hunting ground for their own purposes. Indeed, some swingers and others with sexual agendas have infiltrated into our organizations – and some businesses, promoting or allowing sexual activity, have masqueraded as nudist/naturist businesses. These are cancers and must be removed; they are not us, they hurt us, and they should never be considered part of us. We cannot tolerate even a few.
What's the difference between "nude" and "naked"?
Some people also point out a difference between the words "nude" and “naked." The point made is that the formal definition of "naked" implies that something normal is missing or that something abnormal/improper is happening, while "nude" has no such connotation (see "topfree" below.) I use "nude" most of the time for this reason. (But, as with "naturist" vs. "nudist", other people disagree and think "naked" are preferable and still other people see absolutely no difference between the two. To each his/her own.
Nudist/Naturist Glossary
Following are some terms, abbreviations, and other things you might
run into in your naturist experiences.
AANR
American Association for Nude Recreation - A national naturist organization of North America.
ADMIN:
"Administrative". Put in the subject of rec.nude messages to indicate that the topic is
administrative - discussions about the newsgroup itself, rather than discussions about naturism.
These posts are supposed to be kept to a minimum. :-)
See also "RNEO" and "ObNude", and the "What is RNEO?" topic in part 0.
ASA
American Sunbathing Association, the former name of what is now "AANR".
The Bulletin
The monthly publication of "AANR".
Canuding
Canoeing while nude, a popular naturist activity.
CCBN
Central Council for British Naturism - A national naturist organization of Great Britain.
CO
"Clothing optional."
ENG
Eastern Naturist Gathering. See "Naturist Gathering".
ESA
Eastern Sunbathing Association. The eastern regional subdivision of "AANR".
FANR
Florida Association for Nude Recreation. The Florida regional subdivision of "AANR".
FCN
Federation of Canadian Naturists . A national naturist organization of English-speaking Canada.
FQN
Federation Quebecoise de Naturisme. A national naturist organization of French-speaking Canada.
FKK
Frei Korper Kultur. A German term for naturism.
IMO, IMHO
"In My (Humble/Honest) Opinion".
INF
The International Naturist Federation, an international organization of national naturist
organizations (e.g. "AANR", "TNS", "FCN", etc.) INF's member organizations serve a majority of
the world's nations.
MSA
Midwestern Sunbathing Association. The midwestern regional subdivision of "AANR".
N
Nude & Natural, the quarterly magazine of "TNS".
NAC
Naturist Action Committee . The
political action arm of "TNS".
Naturalist
One who studies nature. Although naturalists may be "naturists", and vice versa, the two are not
fundamentally related. Asking naturalist questions on rec.nude will make you look silly, unless
they are also naturist questions.
Naturist
See "Nudist".
Naturist Gathering
(as in "Eastern Naturist Gathering") One of several annual regional meetings of naturists organized
by "TNS". Three or four are typically held each year (one in mid-winter, the rest in summer), in
various parts of the country. Naturists converge at these events to meet, greet, participate in
activities, listen to talks, and have fun.
NEF
Naturist Education Foundation - The educational arm of "TNS".
NIFOC
"Nude In Front Of Computer".
Nudist
See "Naturist".
ObNude
"Obligatory Nude". Used by some rec.nude readers to introduce an on-topic statement following
an off-topic statement.
RNEO
Rec.Nude Eyes Only. A spam defeating acronym. When placed at the beginning of a subject line
it allows readers to easily locate on-topic messages. replies under "RE: RNEO...." It may also be
used in conjunction with news program filters or search services as an aid to locating topical
material in the newsgroup.
SO
Significant Other. A spouse, partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.
SWSA
Southwestern Sunbathing Association. The southwestern regional subdivision of "AANR".
Thong
In naturist parlance, a G-string style swimsuit which exposes the buttocks. Wearing only a thong
is the next best thing to being nude, in some naturists' minds.
TNS
The Naturist Society . An international naturist organization based in the United States.
Topfree
Lacking a top. What a non-naturist calls "topless", a naturist calls "topfree"; the "-less" suffix
implies that something important is missing, while the "-free" suffix implies a lack of improper
additions, such as a foreign piece of clothing. (Also, "topless" is commonly associated with strip
bars and other commercial exploitation of nudity. "Topfree" has no known negative connotations.)
WNG
Western Naturist Gathering. See "Naturist Gathering".
WSA
Western Sunbathing Association. The western regional subdivision of "AANR".
World Guide
The World Guide to Nude Beaches and Resorts by Lee Baxandall. A very good and oft-quoted
guide to naturist locations worldwide. Published by "TNS".
Note: Don't use the term "nudist colony." Most modern naturists consider this term to be pejorative.
Naturists live normally among the rest of society, not in isolated "colonies." Instead, refer to
nudist/naturist beaches, campgrounds, parks, clubs, resorts, etc.
