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[whatiswhat]

Hi guys,

Is erotica = porno?

I cannot tell the difference, please help.

Thanks

[Marius Hancu]

No, erotica is more artistic/esthetic. Pornography doesn't have any artistic inclinations.

Now, you may find erotica used as a euphemism for the other one, but they are very different.

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erot·i·ca

literary or artistic items having an erotic (http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=erotic) theme; especially : books treating of sexual love in a sensuous or voluptuous manner
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por·nog·ra·phy

1 : a description of prostitutes or prostitution
2 : a depiction (as in writing or painting) of licentiousness or lewdness : a portrayal of erotic behavior designed to cause sexual excitement

http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com
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[whatiswhat]

Thank you again, pal.

I will study harder.:)

[Bridget]

Erotica is the porno of the ones who don't like to admit that they enjoy looking at naked bodies and watching people have sex.

[MrPedantic]

Marius gives a fair description of the way the words are used.

In addition, "erotica" can be used of images or texts that are merely implicitly sexual in content, whereas "pornography" tends not to be used in this way.

MrP