Rimming is a common name for analingus, or oral stimulation of the anus. It’s called rimming because the giving partner often kisses or licks the outer rim of the receiving partner’s anus. However, any oral stimulation of the anus is considered rimming. The term dates back to at least the 1940s, when American psychiatrist George W. Henry used it in his 1941 work “Sex Variants: A Study of Homosexual Patterns.”
Along with its more formal name analingus, there are many other terms for rimming, including:
- Tossing salad
- Eating booty
- Butt munching
- Eating ass
Why some people like rimming
Rimming is a sensual activity that can appeal to giving and receiving partners.
“The booty is a very sexual part of the body for many folks (of all genders and sexual orientations/identities), and rimming is one of the many ways to enjoy intimate play with this turn-on of a body part,” Lisa Finn, a sex educator at Babeland, explained to Kinkly. “Rimming can be integrated into a Dominant/submissive dynamic of play, it can be kinky, it can be soft and intimate, it can be a part of foreplay or be the main sexual event for your session.”
The anus is packed with nerve endings, so having a partner stimulate it with their tongue can feel intensely pleasurable.
“The anus has nerve endings roughly comparable to the lips, so if people like the sensation of kissing, they might really enjoy rimming too,” Dr. Carol Queen PhD, the in-house sexologist for Good Vibes, told Kinky. “Plus the anus is always tucked away and doesn't come in as much contact with the outside world, so that gives it, if anything, extra sensitivity.”
Giving a rim job can also be a sensual experience thanks to the taste and scent of a partner’s anus. Many giving partners also like seeing how much their partners love being rimmed.
“It can also be a very intimate experience for all parties involved,” certified sex educator Tim Lagman told Kinkly. “Letting someone’s mouth near where you have a bowel movement can be nerve-wracking and takes a lot of trust.”
While anal play activities like rimming are becoming more mainstream, a taboo still lingers around them. People who enjoy rimming may get turned on enjoying something society considers dirty or off-limits.
How common is rimming?
Rimming is a common sexual activity practiced by people of all genders and sexualities. It’s most common among gay and bisexual men, with roughly 46 percent receiving and 38 percent giving rim jobs with their most recent partner, according to an Australian study published in 2019.
While rimming is less common for heterosexual couples, it’s definitely not rare. Of the 709 participants in another Australian study published in 2021, 26.6 percent of straight women and 12.6 percent of straight men had been rimmed. Straight men were more likely to perform rimming, with 25.5 percent giving a rim job compared to 9.3 percent of straight women.
BedBible Research Center’s 2024 study on rimming found people who’ve had anal sex are more likely to give or receive a rim job. They found that just 4 percent of people who hadn’t had anal sex gave a rim job while 2 percent received it. In contrast, 24 percent of people who had anal sex said they’d given a rim job in the last month while 15 percent had received one.
People who practiced anal sex and rimming usually made rimming a regular sexual activity. On average, this demographic gave seven rim jobs a month and received five.
How to prepare for rimming
Anyone interested in rimming should chat with their partner to gauge their interest. If they’re open, the couple might discuss whether they want to give or receive a rim job, or both. They might also ask any questions they have to understand rimming better. If both parties feel comfortable and informed, they can give their consent. Neither person should pressure their partner to participate in rimming if they don’t want to.
People receiving a rim job can enhance their partner’s experience by cleaning themselves thoroughly beforehand. Most people take a bath or shower, alone or with their partner. They pay extra attention to cleaning their anus with an antibacterial soap.
Some people like to go a step further and douche their anus by flushing the rectum with water or another liquid. This gives a more thorough clean, but there are some risks. For example, douching too frequently or using the wrong tools can damage the rectum’s lining and rectal mucosa which can increase the risk of contracting HIV and other infections.
Some receiving partners also like to trim or remove the hair around their anus. While this can make giving a rim job more pleasure, there is a risk of ingrown hairs and irritation, depending on the method used.
Giving partners may also want to prepare, according to Lagman.
“If you are the giving partner, you may want to warm up your jaw if you plan on rimming for a while as this can be taxing on your jaw muscles,” they said. “Open and close your mouth in a circular motion in both directions a few times as if you were chewing on a large piece of gum to get the muscles acquainted.”
How to give a rim job
Spending time on foreplay can increase arousal and help prepare someone for a rim job. Couples might kiss, touch one another’s erogenous zones, and play with sex toys. Once both parties feel aroused they can try rimming.
They can get into any position that feels comfortable. The receiving partner might lie on their stomach or get on all fours to expose their anus to the giving partner. The giving partner could lie on their back and the receiving partner could straddle their face. If both people want to receive a rim job, they might try a 69 position.
It's important to go slowly, even after getting into a rimming position, Lagman explained.
“If you are the giver, make sure to warm up your partner's hole before you go all in. Remember that it is a very sensitive area and needs to get acquainted with gentle sensations first before going rougher. Start with a massage on the cheeks by using your fingers to knead the glutes. Then slowly work your fingers towards the hole making sure to gently tap and rub at first. When the receiving partner gives you clearance to go a little harder, you can introduce your tongue on the entry.”
Applying lubricant to the receiving partner’s anus is optional, but it can help the giving partner’s lips and tongue slide over this sensitive area. A flavored lube can also make rimming more appealing.
The giving partner explores their partner’s anus with their mouth and tongue. They might kiss the anus and lick it. The giving partner can enhance the rim job by using their hands or sex toys to stimulate their partner’s genitals and other erogenous zones.
“The best tip I can give – which I have learnt from many years of directing analingus scenes – is to pretend the booty hole is a yummy, delicate ice cream,” adult filmmaker Erika Lust told Kinkly. “Be gentle, slow, and enjoy it! Also, listen to any tips or commands your partner may give to help pleasure them more. If you are still unsure, there are plenty of films for lovers of rimming or the rimming curious on the ERIKALUST catalog – 'His Was First in My Ass,' 'Unravelled Intimacies,' 'My ASS.'"
“A mistake many people make about any erotic play that involves an orifice is that the main thing to do is penetrate it. That might be a great sensation for the receiver — or they might not want it at all,” Queen added. “So first, don't assume — ask and discuss! Learn about your partner's interest, desire, and also boundaries. This is super-important all the time; it's definitely important re: anything anal. Beyond this —think of it as a really sensual activity, and use your mouth accordingly. Like kissing! Where lips and tongue explore the other person. Have them tell you what feels the best. All people don't like the same techniques, which is a really good reason to make sure communication and feedback are part of your sex protocol.”
Safety tips for rimming
Rimming can expose both partners to sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and human papillomavirus. The risk increases if the giving partner has ulcers or open sores near their mouth or the receiving partner has open sores around their anus. Infections from other viruses, bacteria, and parasites can also be transmitted through rimming.
It’s good practice to avoid giving rim jobs with a cold sore, ulcer, or other mouth sore. People also shouldn’t receive rim jobs if they have any sores, lesions, or other anal issues or they’re experiencing diarrhea or the signs of a stomach bug.
People should always make sure they’re clean and tidy before enjoying a rim job. However, Finn explained that some acts of self-care can become safety risks.
“You’ll want to avoid any potential for open wounds, so if you’re planning on doing any anal-area hair removal, don’t do that right before your rimming sesh. Give it time to heal. And for the giver, don’t brush your teeth right before rimming (or any oral, to be honest), as you can cause little cuts on the gums that can open and bleed and leave you more susceptible to injury or transmission. If you’re planning on using your hands to facilitate your rimjob, make sure your nails are trimmed and sans-cuticles, and that your hands are clean and free from fragranced lotions that can irritate the area.”
Limiting the number of sexual partners and only rimming with partners with the same sexual health status can further reduce the risks associated with rimming. Some people also use dental dams, which act as barriers between the mouth and anus. Giving partners should avoid oil-based lubricants when they're using dental dams, as they can degrade the latex.
Synonyms: Tossing salad, eating booty, butt munching, eating ass.
