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Johann Nepomuk Geiger, Handjob, 1840.

Handjob is a slang or informal word referring to an act of manual stimulation of a male's penis by a sexual partner, whether female or male, usually to the point of orgasm and ejaculation. The act is similar to male masturbation, though the latter is performed by a male on himself. The manual stimulation of a female's vagina, clitoris or vulva is usually called fingering, while the manual stimulation performed by partners at the same time is called mutual masturbation.

In places where prostitution is illegal, massage parlors, which may be known to offer sexual services, may offer handjobs to clients while staying within the law against prostitution.

Prevalence in massage parlors[link]

Johann Nepomuk Geiger, Mutual masturbation, 1840.

In massage parlor parlance, the giving of a handjob by a masseuse, whether as part of the massage itself or directly after it, is called a "happy ending."

According to a 1975 study by A. J. Velarde, in an unnamed American West Coast city, provision of a "hand job," where the woman gave the client a handjob, was one of the services masseuses were employed to give. Subsequent newspaper publicity for this practice caused local councils to impose licensing requirements on masseuses similar to the ones imposed on prostitutes. This licensing led to increased expectations in massage parlor clients, who expected that more than a handjob would be available, that is, sexual intercourse. Because the masseuses themselves considered that they had nothing to lose by acting as prostitutes, and because the local council treated them as prostitutes anyway, masseuses often complied, and thus attracted more prostitution to the city.^[1][2]

What is clear today is that "happy endings" do persist in a fair number of massage parlors; what is less clear is their actual real-world extent, and also the prevalence of some new laws and lawsuits that may discourage this practice.^{[citation needed]}

An investigation by Time Out New York in January 2011 found many New York City massage parlors advertising “sensual massage,” and providing handjobs. The parlors charged from $60 to $160, with an extra tip for the sex workers (usually $40) for a massage and manual “happy ending.” In most of the massage parlors reviewed were "rub and tug joints" where handjobs were the only sexual services provided, and there was a strict policy of the male clients not touching the female workers back.^[3]

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See also[link]

Sexuality portal

• Hand fetishism
• Non-penetrative sex
• Orgasm control

References[link]

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009)

"Can I Get a Witness" is a 1963 hit song by Marvin Gaye on the Tamla (Motown) label. Written and produced by Motown songwriting and producing team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song was built among gospel-styled music and heralded Gaye's beginnings in the church with a rhythm and blues/rock and roll setting. The song featured Gaye on piano, playing a boogie pattern, The Funk Brothers, and members of The Supremes in the background accompanying Gaye. The song became a hit in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and British musicians Lulu, Dusty Springfield, The Rolling Stones, Sam Brown and Steampacket (which featured a very young Rod Stewart) recorded cover versions of the song. Gaye's version peaked at #22 on the Hot 100 chart and its title soon became a catchphrase. Lee Michaels' 1971 version reached #39 on the Hot 100; both his and Gaye's versions peaked during Christmas week.

In popular culture[link]

• Gaye's recording is featured in the 1999 biographical film The Hurricane.

Personnel[link]

• Lead vocals by Marvin Gaye
• Background vocals by The Supremes: Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson
• Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers