StripTease

Striptease is a form of erotic entertainment in which the performer, known as a "strip girl", gradually undresses, in a teasing and sexually suggestive manner, to music.

Stripteases are performed in strip clubs and pubs, though theatres and music halls have also been used as venues. The "teasing" part involves the slowness of undressing, while the audience is eager to see more nudity. Delay tactics include additional clothes being removed or putting clothes or hands in front of just undressed body parts, such as breasts or between the legs. Emphasis is on the act of undressing along with sexually suggestive movement, rather than the state of being undressed. In the past, the performance often finished as soon as the undressing was finished, though today striptease artists continue dancing whilst in a state of nudity.

Though today, the strip girl sometimes ends the performance "fully nude", in historic and contemporary circumstances not every item of clothing has been removed, due to legal and cultural prohibitions and other aesthetic considerations. For instance, in some parts of the USA, there are laws forbidding the exposure of female nipples, which have thus to be covered by pasties by the dancer (though no such taboo applies to the exposure of male nipples). Such restrictions have been embodied in venue licensing constraints and local laws. Also certain jurisdictions, have forbidden postures such as spreading the legs. Shoes are usually kept on for practical and aesthetic reasons. Often Health codes require shoes to be worn at all times. The costume the stripper wears before disrobing can be an important part of the act. These could be fantasy themed: such as a schoolgirl uniform, maid's dress, policewoman's outfit etc.

Along with physical attractiveness and appropriate clothing, the main asset and tool used by the exotic dancer in recent years is the stripper pole.

In addition to night club entertainment, stripping can be a form of sexual play between partners. This can be done as an impromptu event or - perhaps for a special occasion - with elaborate planning involving fantasywear, music, special lighting, practised dance moves, and even dance moves that have been previously unpractised.

H.L. Mencken is credited with coining the word "ecdysiast", using a Greek phrase which means "a person who stripteases". He did so in response to a request from a stripteaser who requested a "more dignified" way to refer to her profession.