Cruising Terms Explained:
A Quick Guide to Common Slang
Whether you’re new to cruising or just want to brush up on your lingo, here’s a helpful glossary of the most common terms you’ll come across in the gay cruising world.
🧱 Cottaging
Meaning: Cruising or hooking up in public toilets. A term deeply rooted in UK gay history.
🍆 Glory Hole
Meaning: A hole between two rooms or cubicles used for anonymous oral sex. Common in adult cinemas and some saunas.
🌲 Cruising
Meaning: The act of looking for casual or anonymous sex in public or semi-public spaces, such as parks, lay-bys, or toilets.
🛻 Dogging
Meaning: Similar to cruising, but often takes place in car parks or rural lay-bys, sometimes involving group or voyeuristic play.
🧖 Sauna
Meaning: A private venue (usually gay-friendly) with facilities like steam rooms, dark rooms, and private cabins, where cruising is often welcome.
🔍 Eye Contact
Meaning: A discreet way of signalling interest when cruising. Sustained eye contact followed by a look away is a classic sign.
👣 Tap-Tap
Meaning: Light foot tapping under a cubicle wall—an old-school signal in toilet cruising (mostly historical now).
🕯️ Discreet
Meaning: A term often used in profiles or chats to indicate someone is private or not publicly out, preferring subtle encounters.
Bonus Tip: Many of these terms are also used on apps like Grindr or in online forums. Knowing them helps you understand the culture and communicate with confidence.