"ironwork" as wielding an erect penis?

[Jonathan Lighter]

HDAS has the relevant sense of "iron" from ca1700.

  JL

Jesse Sheidlower <jester at PANIX.COM> wrote:
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Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: Jesse Sheidlower
Subject: Re: "ironwork" as wielding an erect penis?
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On Wed, Oct 31, 2007 at 09:20:24PM -0400, Joel S. Berson wrote:
> Does "ironwork" have a sense of employing an erect penis? In "A
> Satyrical Description of Commencement (?1740 but describing itself as
> first printed in 1719), there are the lines:
>
> While some intoxicated are with Wine,
> Others (as brutish) propagate their Kind:
> Where amorous Lads to shady groves resort,
> And under Venus with their Misses sport.
> Some sing, some dance, some lay the Ground upon,
> Whatever fails, the IRON-WORK goes on.
>
> Google gives me a tantalizing snippet:
>
> "... application of clenched fists and ironwork. And despite all
> that, he left me in the same state in which he found me. Do not
> forget that _you_ have benefited from our liaison. I have given you
> time and funds. We should both be thankful."
>
> Allen Kurzweil, _A Case of Curiosities_, 1992, p. 233. The review on
> the Google page says this novel is set in the 18th century, and
> mentions sexual incidents from the book.

Spectacular book. Its long-awaited sequel, _The Grand
Complication,_ was stunningly bad. Really one of the biggest
disappointments in ages.

Here's more context:

I was unfortunate enough to marry a man with a penis the size
of a wart and testicles smaller than two field peas. You
allowed me to forget his inadequacies. For that I thank
you. My God! Do you know what it was like to pass whole nights
with him upon me? My body was forced to suffer inconceivable
distress and pain. A thousand vain efforts, from book readings
to the crude application of clenched fists and ironwork. And
despite all that, he left me in the same state in which he
found me. Do not forget that _you_ have benefited from our
liaison. I have given you time and funds. We should both be
thankful.

So, clearly in a sexual context, but I'm inclined to read this
as literal.

Jesse Sheidlower

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