When it comes to sex, there are numerous phrases and slang that are quite common. One of these is "pop your cherry". What does "pop your cherry" mean? That's one of those little things about sex that many people learn as they talk to their friends and explore more about their bodies and sexuality.
What Does Pop Your Cherry Mean?
When someone says "pop your cherry", it means "losing your virginity". It's a slang term for "popping" the hymen during sex. The hymen is a very thin layer of skin that is often stretched across the vaginal opening, but by the time a girl is old enough to have sex, she might not have a hymen at all. It often gets stretched and torn during rigorous activity, such as athletics. Some women might even be born without a hymen.
However, if you do still have a hymen, you might feel some pain and pressure when the hymen is "popped" during sex. There might also be some bleeding. So for those who wonder "what does pop your cherry mean?", now you know!
But it is very important to remember that the presence of a hymen does not determine whether you are a virgin or not. You are considered a virgin until you have sexual intercourse for the first time. Though the term "pop your cherry" makes it seem like it's not that much of a big deal, you should never allow yourself to be pressured into sex by anyone, even by someone who is a long-time lover. Besides, many people think that this term is rather crude and makes light of something that should be a very loving, special act.
Where Does the Expression "Pop Your Cherry" Come From?
Now you have known "What does pop your cherry mean?", let's try to find where this term comes from. No one is entirely sure where the phrase "pop your cherry" comes from, but there are some interesting theories. The first references can be found in the 16th century, when "stones" might have referred to testicles, and the "cherry" referred to the dark public hair of a woman. But the more modern version of the phrase came about in the 19th century, when a woman was seen as being "ripe" for plucking if she was a virgin. And like all "ripe" things, it was expected to be lost at some point. Eventually more slang terms along those lines were created, and today we now have the phrase "pop your cherry" to mean taking someone's virginity.
Can My Hymen Be Broken Without Sex?
It is important to remember that the hymen doesn't have to be intact before sex – in fact, in many women it is not intact or even non-existent. The hymen has several natural holes on it, and these holes stretch open with time and activity. This is especially true if a girl is masturbating or using a tampon. Those holes might stretch or even break during rigorous activity, like horseback riding. Sometimes the breaking of the hymen hurts, but other times, you might not even notice when it happens. There might be some bleeding, but for most girls it just appears to be an unexpected and very short period. So yes – the hymen can definitely be broken without sex, and in fact, it usually is!
Can Hymen Grow Back?
The hymen does not grow back. Once it is broken, it's gone for good. Though some women claim that they can "recapture their virginity" by not having sex for a long time, keep in mind that this does not make the hymen grow back. This is a thin layer of skin that breaks at some point during life, whether during first intercourse or otherwise.
Does Broken Hymen Mean I Lost My Virginity?
What does pop your cherry mean? It means you had sex, which means your hymen has broken. However, a broken hymen does not equal a loss of virginity. You might have a broken hymen – or even be born without one! – and that doesn't have any bearing on whether you are a virgin or not.
The only way to lose your virginity is to have sex. That is the only way to truly say you are no longer a virgin. Even if you lose your hymen through the use of a tampon, through masturbation, while using sex toys, while participating in athletics, or any other reason, you are still a virgin. So never confuse a broken hymen with lost virginity!