bodice ripper
1
9.2
- noun
- /ˈbɒdɪs ˈrɪpər/
- Offensive
:
novela romántica erótica de época
- A shelf next to her holds several bodice-ripper romance novels, bearing her name.
- bodice ripper romance novel
Examples
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She enjoys reading a bodice ripper that features a sweeping romance set in Victorian times.
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Now as a hobby, along with comic books and science fiction, historical novels and bodice-rippers, there they are.
Blog text (28) -
But then again, it probably correlates with increased rates of autism and the publication of bodice-ripper novels.
Blog text (23) -
The bookstore has a section dedicated to bodice rippers, filled with tales of love and passion.
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Many readers appreciate how a classic bodice ripper intertwines historical settings with intense romance.
How Explicit
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal parts ('bodice' = upper part of a dress; 'ripper' = one who rips) give a vivid image of clothing being torn, which can suggest sexual passion or violence, so a learner might infer a sexualized or dramatic sense. However, the specific meaning 'a category of historical romantic novels with explicit passion (often non‑consensual elements)' is a culture-specific, slangy genre label that is not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so prior exposure is typically required.
Etymology
Bodice ripper may come from old paperback covers that showed a man ripping a woman's bodice, the tight top of her dress, in a dramatic scene, and the word ripper gives a strong image of force and passion. So it now names a 'romantic novel' with strong physical 'passion' and sometimes scenes of force.