When did "good boy" becomes the all-purpose submissive diminutive? It's often linked to mommy-domme terminology, and usually tied into some form of soft findom. But lately I feel it has escaped these circles and is now everywhere online. I realize that some dommes feel "slave" carries hurtful historical connotations, but as a replacement, and with its infantilization echoes, I find it really off-putting.

Yeah, I see your views of "good boy" and the echoes of role play scenarios I don't even want to write. I remember my first session, when I said I wanted to do role play, and one of the first things she mentioned was a stepmother fantasy. Not for me.

At my advanced age no one has called me a "good boy" in quite some time. LOL! I only see my longtime Mistress and I'm glad my roleplay turned to a sub Tarzan, down & out athlete, street courtesan etc. and I'm called a "beast," "ape," "slut" or similar names.

The scene or activity that seemed popular when I was young referred to... stuff from WWII. Complete turn off.

The scene changes over time. Younger people are entering it and they have their own values and ideas about where it should go.

I understand your dislike of "good boy". Maybe you now have a better understanding about what it's like for us grown women to constantly be referred to as "girls" or "miss". It's not a recent trend. It's been this way for years. I correct men when they do this and they are almost always totally taken off guard.

"I'm not a girl, I'm a grown woman." This is more often than not met with laughter. Sometimes I think it's discomfort. Other times it's obviously that the man thinks it's hilarious. "It's not that big of a deal/deep/serious/you're taking it too personally/it means the same thing/other such bullshit"

"Please don't call me 'miss'. That's an honorific meant for young girls." This is sometimes met with annoyance. "Then what am I supposed to call you?" I tell them they don't have to call me anything. They can just say "hello". Silence. Because it doesn't occur to most men that they don't have to categorize every women they meet.

Mistress Tissa: Training boys to be men and men not to be Patriarchs

I respect what you guys are saying, but different strokes for different folks. When Goddess says "good boy," it gets my motor running.

I’m with KBB. I love the occasional “good boy”

I never saw it as Mommy Domme, but I get that interpretation

I always think of it more like a pet. Like you would call your dog a good boy (or girl)

Different strokes! Glad it works for both of you.

I guess my reaction is more to how casually it's used across sites like Loyalfans, etc., but perhaps that's a separate post. You follow someone there and immediately get an auto reply about what a good boy you're going to be if you buy her clips.

I have played semi-regularly with one woman online over the years, and she alternates between "bitch" or "good boy" quite a bit, and there are times when I definitely appreciate the latter. But I've never been called "good boy" in an actual IRL session. No shade on anyone who appreciates it, though.

I detest this too. But mainly because I prefer more verbal humiliation, so term more appropriate to that desire.

Echoing what Mistress Tissa said about younger generations, I'd like to add that the infantilization/Mommy Domme has grown exponentially in popularity. Men of a certain generation can't get enough of it.

I read an article about the growth in popularity, and basically it came down to needing reassurance and a strong "Mommy" role to balance out the chaotic and unpredictable future given current events, especially for mens 'roles', in a world where women are choosing to be single rather than deal with them-- (cue the Male Loneliness discussion) and the definition and state of "masculinity" in today's world!

I generally only use the term if it's specifically asked or fits the scene. I'm not a true "Mommy Domme" but I do enjoy it in extreme humiliation or role plays if the chemistry is correct. --(them crying and begging Mommy not to call them that again!)

More often, it's a "good girl" when I have someone crossdressed or a "good boy" when a pup does his tricks correctly.

During the age of parasocial relationship building and fan hub platforms branding to catch a wide net AND appease everyone is a tight rope.

I've seen people say the feel the same negative connotations about other universal diminutives human atm, pup/dog, slave, etc.

This was most likely the term that got the best responses from their followers and, therefore, they continue using it to cast that wide net. And if one Domme sees that term is working and getting the desired results for one person, then, of course, they'll use it too.

online parasocial, D/s dynamics definitely aren't for everyone. Classic case of -- can't please everyone, all the time.

Thank you for this response -- honestly, I think you nailed it. I don't like "good boy," but if I see it on a domme's social media, or in a LoyalFans message, I might find it a bit ick but I won't unfollow. As opposed to, "Hey, loser!" "Good boy" probably has most upside in terms of responses and the lowest downside.

You also mention this "age of parasocial relationship building." I've been meaning to comment on this too. Back in the day, a domme's media presence was meant to drive you to session with them or, maybe, buy a video. Now many times it's just to be drawn into a parasocial relationship. On LoyalFans and Sextpanther I'll follow a domme and then get a string of messages like "What's your favorite Star Wars movie?" Or, "Do you have a best friend?" Or, just, "how was your day?" (All actual examples.) I suppose if a domme has scores of followers, and some percentage responds at $1 - $5/ message, that's a little bit of coin. And if these platforms don't offer models AI chatbot support, so these kinds of exchanges can be automated, then I'm sure that's not far away.