Escort Services in London, Explained: Terms and Meanings

An escort advert is a list of offers. Every term in it describes something the escort is willing to do, and none is a promise: each is a choice on the day, and she can decline or stop at any time. That is why the first rule of every service below is to ask before the booking, in plain words, and to accept the answer.

For the most common abbreviations in one table, see the shorthand guide. For the first message and screening, see how booking works, and for where the law stands, Is escorting legal in the UK?.

Experience and style

These words describe the tone of a booking rather than a list of acts. They are the most used and the most misread terms in an advert.

GFE

GFE is the girlfriend experience: a warmer, unhurried booking with conversation and affection. It is a tone and not a list, so ask what it includes. Read the guide.

Listed by 115 escorts, based in Earls Court (25), Gloucester Road (15), Paddington (12), Bayswater (10) and 21 other areas.

PSE

PSE is the porn star experience: a more intense, performance led booking. It is the opposite end of the scale from GFE and just as loosely defined. Read the guide.

Listed by 98 escorts, based in Earls Court (20), Gloucester Road (14), Bayswater (10), Paddington (10) and 18 other areas.

High class

High class is a marketing phrase for an upmarket booking, usually with higher rates, careful presentation and discretion. Nobody regulates it, so look for specifics. Read the guide.

Listed by 21 escorts, based in Gloucester Road (5), Earls Court (4), High Street Kensington (3), Mayfair (2) and 6 other areas.

Party girl

Party girl is an advert phrase for an escort who is happy to socialise, drink or go out as part of a booking. What it covers varies, so ask what is included. The law on drugs applies to everyone, and a responsible escort will not take part in anything illegal.

Listed by 108 escorts, based in Earls Court (26), Gloucester Road (16), Bayswater (9), Paddington (9) and 18 other areas.

Role play

Role play means acting out an agreed scenario, such as a character or a situation. It is a theme and not a fixed menu, so describe what you have in mind in advance and accept that the escort may decline parts of it.

Listed by 117 escorts, based in Earls Court (25), Gloucester Road (16), Bayswater (12), Paddington (12) and 22 other areas.

Striptease

Striptease means a slow, performed undressing as part of the booking, sometimes with music or a costume. It is usually a short part of a longer booking, so ask how long it lasts.

Listed by 115 escorts, based in Earls Court (24), Gloucester Road (16), Bayswater (12), Paddington (11) and 20 other areas.

Massage

Adult massage has its own vocabulary, and the styles differ more than the names suggest.

Erotic massage

The umbrella term for adult massage. Tantric, nuru, sensual and body to body are the main styles, and the guide compares them. Read the guide.

Listed by 123 escorts, based in Earls Court (26), Gloucester Road (17), Bayswater (12), Paddington (12) and 22 other areas.

Body to body massage

A massage in which the masseuse uses her body, with oil, instead of only her hands. Read the guide.

Listed by 99 escorts, based in Earls Court (20), Gloucester Road (16), Bayswater (10), Paddington (10) and 19 other areas.

Tantric massage

The slower, longer form of adult massage, built on breath and touch. Tantra is the short form in adverts. Read the guide.

Listed by 59 escorts, based in Gloucester Road (12), Earls Court (11), Bayswater (7), Sloane Square (6) and 15 other areas.

Nuru massage

A Japanese style full body massage using a seaweed based gel on a plastic sheet. Read the guide.

Listed by 47 escorts, based in Bayswater (6), Earls Court (6), Gloucester Road (6), Paddington (6) and 13 other areas.

Sensual massage

The broadest term in adult massage and the least precise. Confirm what a session includes before you book. Read the guide.

Listed by 6 escorts, based in Sloane Square (2), Edgware Road (1), Fitzrovia (1), Gloucester Road (1) and 1 other area.

Happy ending massage

A massage that ends with a sexual finish. The guide covers the phrase and where licensing and the law draw the line. Read the guide.

Lingam massage

A tantric style massage focused on the male genitals, the counterpart of yoni massage. Read the guide.

Yoni massage

A tantric style massage focused on the female genitals, usually given to women and couples. Read the guide.

Prostate massage

Stimulation of the prostate, usually through the rectum. It has a medical history and a place in adult massage, and a doctor is the right person for health questions. Read the guide.

Listed by 82 escorts, based in Earls Court (17), Gloucester Road (14), Bayswater (12), Bond Street (5) and 17 other areas.

Soapy massage

An adult massage with soap, foam and warm water, usually in a shower or bath. Read the guide.

Four hands massage

A massage given by two people at the same time, working in step. Read the guide.

Listed by 4 escorts, based in Fitzrovia (1), Gloucester Road (1), Sloane Square (1) and South Kensington (1).

Outcall massage

A massage where the masseuse comes to you, at a hotel or a home, instead of you going to a studio. Read the guide.

Listed by 6 escorts, based in Sloane Square (2), Edgware Road (1), Fitzrovia (1), Gloucester Road (1) and 1 other area.

Thai massage

A traditional bodywork with stretching and pressure. It is a different thing from sexual massage, and the guide explains where the two get confused. Read the guide.

Acts and abbreviations

Short codes for what is on offer. Each one is an extra that the escort chooses to list, and each is still her choice on the day.

French kissing (FK)

FK is French kissing. In an advert it usually means a lighter version of kissing than DFK, but advertisers use the terms loosely, so ask what is meant. Read the guide.

Listed by 105 escorts, based in Earls Court (24), Gloucester Road (14), Paddington (11), Bayswater (10) and 19 other areas.

DFK

DFK is deep French kissing. It is an offer and not a promise, and it can depend on the day. Read the guide.

Listed by 71 escorts, based in Earls Court (17), Gloucester Road (8), Paddington (7), Bayswater (6) and 15 other areas.

OWO

OWO means oral without a condom. It carries real health risks, and the guide covers what it signals and what to ask. Read the guide.

Listed by 117 escorts, based in Earls Court (28), Gloucester Road (17), Paddington (12), Bayswater (10) and 21 other areas.

COB

COB is come on body. It is an extra that the escort chooses to offer, and the guide explains how it differs from the terms around it. Read the guide.

Listed by 107 escorts, based in Earls Court (22), Gloucester Road (15), Bayswater (11), Paddington (10) and 21 other areas.

CIM

CIM is come in mouth. It is an extra that many escorts do not offer, and the guide covers the consent and health basics. Read the guide.

Listed by 55 escorts, based in Earls Court (13), Paddington (6), Bayswater (5), Gloucester Road (5) and 16 other areas.

CIF and COF

CIF is come in face and COF is come on face. Both are extras that many escorts do not offer. They must be agreed beforehand, and an escort can refuse on the day. Never assume either.

Listed by 62 escorts, based in Earls Court (15), Gloucester Road (8), Paddington (7), Bayswater (4) and 16 other areas.

Swallow

Swallow means the escort is willing to swallow after oral sex. Few escorts offer it, it carries health considerations for both people, and it must be agreed beforehand.

Listed by 9 escorts, based in Paddington (3), Earls Court (2), Baker Street (1), Bayswater (1) and 2 other areas.

Deep throat

Deep throat is an advert phrase for a deeper form of oral sex. It is an extra that some escorts offer and others do not, it should be agreed beforehand, and the health basics for oral sex apply.

Listed by 78 escorts, based in Earls Court (21), Bayswater (8), Paddington (8), Gloucester Road (7) and 16 other areas.

69

A position in which two people give each other oral sex at the same time. The guide covers what it signals and the health basics. Read the guide.

Listed by 122 escorts, based in Earls Court (27), Gloucester Road (16), Bayswater (12), Paddington (12) and 21 other areas.

Rimming (giving and receiving)

Oral contact with the anus, listed as giving or receiving. It carries some of the clearest health risks of any listed act, and the guide covers them. Read the guide.

Listed by 117 escorts, based in Earls Court (25), Gloucester Road (16), Bayswater (12), Paddington (12) and 20 other areas.

A-level

A-level is advert shorthand for anal sex. It is an extra that some escorts offer and many do not, it is always a choice on the day, and it must be agreed beforehand and never assumed or pushed. Condoms are essential, as for any penetrative sex. Read the guide.

Listed by 32 escorts, based in Earls Court (10), Gloucester Road (4), Marylebone (3), Baker Street (2) and 11 other areas.

DP

DP stands for double penetration, an act that needs more than two people. It appears in a few adverts and is only possible with more than one client or more than one escort, so it is a conversation before the booking and not an add on.

Listed by 4 escorts, based in Edgware Road (1), Gloucester Road (1), High Street Kensington (1) and Soho (1).

Fetish and domination

Bookings built around an agreed role and a set of limits. All of them depend on conversation before anything happens.

Fetish

A particular interest the booking is built around, such as clothing, role play or a specific scenario. It tells you the theme and not who leads. Read the guide.

Listed by 104 escorts, based in Earls Court (20), Gloucester Road (15), Paddington (10), Bayswater (9) and 20 other areas.

Kink

Any sexual interest or practice outside what is thought of as conventional. Fetish and BDSM sit inside it. Read the guide.

Listed by 104 escorts, based in Earls Court (20), Gloucester Road (15), Paddington (10), Bayswater (9) and 20 other areas.

Domination

The escort leads and sets the rules within what was agreed beforehand. Read the guide.

Listed by 95 escorts, based in Earls Court (18), Gloucester Road (13), Bayswater (10), Paddington (10) and 19 other areas.

Dominatrix

A woman paid to take the dominant role in a consensual session, often working from a purpose built studio. Read the guide.

Listed by 3 escorts, based in Earls Court (1), Edgware Road (1) and Sloane Square (1).

Submissive

The escort follows and the client leads, within the limits she has set. It is a negotiated role and not a licence to ignore a limit. Read the guide.

Listed by 18 escorts, based in Paddington (4), Baker Street (2), Central London (2), Earls Court (2) and 7 other areas.

Dom, domme, sub and switch

The role words in BDSM. A dom leads, a sub follows and a switch does both, always within agreed limits. Read the guide.

Listed by 96 escorts, based in Earls Court (19), Gloucester Road (13), Bayswater (10), Paddington (10) and 19 other areas.

BDSM

Bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism and masochism. The guide covers each part and how consent works. Read the guide.

Listed by 32 escorts, based in Earls Court (6), Bayswater (5), Gloucester Road (5), Sloane Square (4) and 9 other areas.

Bondage

Bondage means restraining a person, with rope, cuffs or other restraints, by agreement. It needs a safe word, a way to release quickly and limits agreed first. Never leave a restrained person alone.

Latex

Latex describes a booking where the escort wears latex clothing, or where the client brings it. It is a clothing fetish, usually part of a role or theme, and it needs the same conversation in advance as any other. A latex allergy is real, so say so if either of you has one. Read the guide.

Listed by 1 escort, based in Sloane Square (1).

Foot worship

Foot worship is a fetish centred on the feet. It is listed by escorts who are comfortable with it and is agreed beforehand. Hygiene matters, so arrive clean. Read the guide.

Listed by 91 escorts, based in Earls Court (18), Gloucester Road (16), Bayswater (9), Paddington (6) and 18 other areas.

Edging and tease and denial

Bringing someone close to orgasm and stopping, repeatedly, to delay and intensify. Listed as tease and denial or orgasm control. Read the guide.

Cuckold and hotwife

A consensual arrangement in which a partner has sex with others with the other partner's knowledge and agreement. Read the guide.

Findom

Financial domination: paying a dominant for the thrill of giving up control, usually online. It is also where scams and blackmail concentrate. Read the guide.

Spanking (giving and receiving)

Spanking means striking the buttocks as part of a booking, listed as giving or receiving. It is agreed beforehand, with limits on force and a safe word, and the escort can stop at any time.

Listed by 115 escorts, based in Earls Court (25), Gloucester Road (14), Bayswater (12), Paddington (12) and 20 other areas.

Strap on

The escort uses a harness and dildo on the client. The same thing as pegging, and the guide covers the safety basics. Read the guide.

Listed by 13 escorts, based in Bayswater (2), Edgware Road (2), Paddington (2), Bond Street (1) and 6 other areas.

Pegging

When a woman uses a strap on to penetrate a man anally. It is an extra that many escorts do not offer. Read the guide.

Listed by 13 escorts, based in Bayswater (2), Edgware Road (2), Paddington (2), Bond Street (1) and 6 other areas.

Face sitting

Face sitting is an act in which the escort sits on the client. It is an extra that some escorts list, agreed beforehand, and hygiene matters for both people.

Listed by 3 escorts, based in Earls Court (1), Gloucester Road (1) and Marylebone (1).

Watersports (giving and receiving)

Watersports means urine play, listed as giving or receiving. It is a niche fetish offered by few escorts and it carries health considerations, so it must be agreed beforehand. Read the guide.

Listed by 94 escorts, based in Earls Court (23), Gloucester Road (13), Bayswater (10), Paddington (8) and 17 other areas.

Fisting

Fisting is a high risk practice that can cause serious injury, and very few escorts list it. Anyone considering it should talk to the escort first and follow the advice of a sexual health service.

Listed by 4 escorts, based in Bayswater (1), Bond Street (1), Earls Court (1) and Gloucester Road (1).

Squirting

Squirting refers to the release of fluid during orgasm. Advertisers list it as a possibility and not a promise, and nobody should be pressured for it.

Listed by 2 escorts, based in Bayswater (1) and Edgware Road (1).

Bookings and groups

How long, where and with whom. These are practical terms, and each changes the price.

Incall

You go to her address. Usually cheaper, and the place is set up for the booking. Read the guide.

Listed by 123 escorts, based in Earls Court (28), Gloucester Road (17), Bayswater (12), Paddington (12) and 21 other areas.

Outcall

She comes to you, at a hotel or a home. Usually dearer, because travel is included. Read the guide.

Listed by 125 escorts, based in Earls Court (28), Gloucester Road (17), Bayswater (12), Paddington (12) and 22 other areas.

Duo

Two escorts who work together. It costs more than a single booking, and the guide explains the kinds of duo, the price and the brothel rule. Read the guide.

Listed by 92 escorts, based in Earls Court (19), Gloucester Road (13), Paddington (12), Bayswater (11) and 17 other areas.

Bi duo

A bi duo is two escorts who work together and are comfortable with each other as well as with the client. The bi means bisexual. Ask what is included and how it is priced, since a duo costs more than a single booking. Read the guide.

Listed by 39 escorts, based in Earls Court (10), Bayswater (6), Gloucester Road (5), Bond Street (3) and 13 other areas.

MMF and FFM

Two men and one woman, or two women and one man. The guide covers what the booking involves for everyone in the room. Read the guide.

Listed by 19 escorts, based in Earls Court (3), Gloucester Road (3), Paddington (3), Baker Street (2) and 6 other areas.

Couples

A couples booking means the escort sees a couple together. Both partners must agree, and it should be said in the first message. Read the guide.

Listed by 62 escorts, based in Earls Court (15), Bayswater (9), Gloucester Road (9), Paddington (4) and 15 other areas.

Overnight

A booking that runs from an agreed evening time to an agreed morning time, commonly around twelve hours. Read the guide.

Listed by 14 escorts, based in Earls Court (3), Sloane Square (3), Gloucester Road (2), Edgware Road (1) and 5 other areas.

Dinner date

Company for a meal, usually two to four hours, sometimes with time afterwards. Read the guide.

Half hour

A half hour booking is the shortest length many escorts will take, and it is often priced higher per hour than longer bookings. Check the minimum length before you message, since some escorts do not offer it.

Listed by 8 escorts, based in Earls Court (2), Gloucester Road (2), Edgware Road (1), Park Lane (1) and 2 other areas.

TS and trans escorts

TS stands for transsexual. Many people now prefer trans woman, so use the word the person uses for herself. Read the guide.

Listed by 2 escorts, based in Bayswater (1) and High Street Kensington (1).

Male escorts

Men paid for company or sex, booked by women, men and couples. The law is the same as for women. Read the guide.

Being filmed (with mask)

Being filmed with a mask is listed by escorts who are willing to be recorded with their face covered. Recording changes the legal and privacy picture a great deal: it needs the agreement of everyone on camera, in writing, and it must never be done secretly. Sharing intimate images of someone without their consent is a criminal offence in the UK.

Listed by 55 escorts, based in Earls Court (10), Gloucester Road (9), Paddington (6), Bayswater (5) and 12 other areas.

Common questions

What do the abbreviations in an escort advert mean?

Each is shorthand for something the escort is willing to do, such as GFE for the girlfriend experience, OWO for oral without a condom and DFK for deep French kissing. This page explains every term, and each is an offer and not a promise.

Does an escort have to do everything she lists?

No. A listing is an offer. Every service is a choice on the day, and she can decline or stop at any time. A no is final and needs no reason.

Are extras included in the hourly rate?

Not always. Some services cost extra, so ask for the total before you agree, in the first messages and not at the door.

What should I do if I do not understand a term?

Ask in plain words before the booking. A professional escort will explain, and an advert that cannot be explained is a reason to look elsewhere.

Is it legal to book these services?

Paying for or selling sex between consenting adults is legal in England, Wales and Scotland, though the activity around it is restricted. Consent is not a defence to serious harm, and some practices carry real health risks. See the guide to the law for the detail.