I think the words are often used interchangeably. However, they could potentially be used to describe when and why a person is nude. For example, a naturist may be interested in being nude as a way to be closer to nature. They may want to be nude while performing activities in nature, such as hiking, swimming, camping…. But does their desire to be nude end there? Do they want to be nude indoors? Some might argue that a nudist would prefer to be nude at all times. While at home, at the movies, while bowling, grocery shopping, plus the outdoor activities. Either way both words describe those who prefer at least some time spent sans clothing.
I echo Mark's sentiments. I classify myself nudist because I ike to be naked regardless of the setting, insude or out. Being nude in nature, especially with others, feels different, and in my view, qualifies for a different term to describe the experience. I also remember first hearing the term "naturist" from the beginnings of the Naturist Society/Lee Baxendall days. I think the term was promoted to encourage those who found enjoyment being nude outside, but shied away from the term "nudist" because of what some perceived as being a little weird.
I do get a chuckle out of the misuse of the term "naturalist" when some want to avoid using the term "nudist". Naturists like to be naked outside. Naturalists can explain the birds and the bees to you 😉.
Nudist and naturist have the same meaning. When I want to appear more refined, I use the word naturist, but there is no difference. The word nudist is more abrupt. But. There. Is. No. Difference.
That. Is. Your. Opinion. Mine is that there is a difference, albeit subtle. I live in the boonies and am certainly a nature lover. Being outdoors gardening or doing other outdoor chores in the nude to me feels great - getting some sun, and feeling the breeze, or going for a walk in the hay fields. But I don't spend every moment that I can in the nude, as some do, so I don't think of myself as a nudist as much. In the end, I don't really care which word gets used; it's just words.
The words mostly mean the same in practical, everyday use once you know the difference. Yes, I understand that "naturism" carries the additional elements of social sensitivity and environmental responsibility. That's fine if one has been introduced to its broader definition. For most people though, "naturist" sounds like "naturalist'. While I might bird-watch while I'm naked, that's not the primary goal. As such, I use "nudist" as that make things fairly clear. If the subject somehow comes up, I tell people I'm a nudist. If I'm asked how I spent my weekend, I'll tell them I was at my nudist club. I always happy to explain going to a club is not some bacchanal but regular people doing ordinary stuff just doing things naked if you want to be.
That. Is. Your. Opinion. Mine is that there is a difference, albeit subtle. I live in the boonies and am certainly a nature lover. Being outdoors gardening or doing other outdoor chores to me feels great - getting some sun, and feeling the breeze, or going for a walk in the hay fields. But I don't spend every moment that I can in the nude, as some do, so I don't think of myself as a nudist as much. In the end, I don't really care which word gets used; it's just words.
For me, it depends on my situation. My current situation, I can only practice in my room. When I was growing up, I lived in Joshua tree CA and there was some empty space between my school and home so I'd strip down to nothing but socks and shoes. I moved to the Adirondack mountains in northern NY at 18 and would spend time in the woods nude. Now, I am in Colorado and can only practice in my room. In Joshua tree and NY, the term was naturist. Since my step dad retired, I can only be nude in my room so the term is nudist.
Interesting how definitions change over time. I remember when nudists were predominantly club members. They were nude while within the fences and not inclined to visit nude beaches or other public naturist places. People that went to those places rarely identified as a nudist. They quickly got on board with Baxendall's vision of naturism if they used a label at all. I don't correct anyone calling me a nudist, because I'm not that particular. It's not black vs white, but mostly gray.
The difference is subtle, but I think of myself as a naturist. I'm most at home outdoors, either in the natural world or in the constructed nature of our garden. I like the feeling of the air on my entire body, so I'm naked when it's appropriate but also comfortable being dressed while out hiking, camping, and gardening. Being in nature is more important than being naked, but they definitely go together. I'm also a naturalist, with a strong interest in our native flora. Sometimes I engage in naturism while being a naturalist.
Naturism is more than being at home nude in nature. Naturism implies that being nude is the natural state of the human being. Clothing is an artifice which should be worn only as a necessity for health and safety. It speaks to a broader reason for being nude. It confronts all the artficiality of life and rejects it as inhuman and inhumane. We cannot be our truest selves hiding or pretending in clothing. Live nude and discover the real you!
For me Joshu's "nudism is an attitude, and naturism is a practice" comes closest to reflecting my view. For me, being naked is a statement of being: more a personal political act than an attitude. Naturism is a demonstration of the communal sharing of our common nakedness. But that's just my view...
Hmmm... I think of Nudist as a preference to be naked whenever practical including social environments for some folks, while others see it as a strictly "alone and private" experience. I think of Naturist as a preference to be naked outdoors, hiking, gardening, etc. - more of a personal "closer to nature" preference. Could be strictly alone or in a social setting as well. I prefer the term Naturist because it is less likely to trigger an "ewwwww gross" response and I definitely prefer to be outside in nature where I can experience "true bliss". Free hiking in a forest is an incredible way to feel closer to nature and "closer to God" for those who seek this sort of connection. I am an active Catholic and attend Mass weekly. But I would not hesitate to tell someone seeking a closer connection to "God" they might skip going to church and instead find a place to hike, garden, etc. naked.
I see really two distinctions. First, nudism seems to me to be the desire to be naked for any number of reasons; while naturism is a philosophy of interaction with one's environment and nature. Second, in common parlance, nudism seems to be equated to adult only activity often of an erotic nature -- especially in the swinger lifestyle. While, naturism seems to indicate a more family-friendly environment in which normal activities are simply enjoyed textile free.
I think the words are often used interchangeably. However, they could potentially be used to describe when and why a person is nude. For example, a naturist may be interested in being nude as a way to be closer to nature. They may want to be nude while performing activities in nature, such as hiking, swimming, camping…. But does their desire to be nude end there? Do they want to be nude indoors? Some might argue that a nudist would prefer to be nude at all times. While at home, at the movies, while bowling, grocery shopping, plus the outdoor activities. Either way both words describe those who prefer at least some time spent sans clothing.
I don’t know which I am. I just like to be naked
128724/: that nudism is an attitude, and naturism is a practice
I echo Mark's sentiments. I classify myself nudist because I ike to be naked regardless of the setting, insude or out. Being nude in nature, especially with others, feels different, and in my view, qualifies for a different term to describe the experience. I also remember first hearing the term "naturist" from the beginnings of the Naturist Society/Lee Baxendall days. I think the term was promoted to encourage those who found enjoyment being nude outside, but shied away from the term "nudist" because of what some perceived as being a little weird.
I do get a chuckle out of the misuse of the term "naturalist" when some want to avoid using the term "nudist". Naturists like to be naked outside. Naturalists can explain the birds and the bees to you 😉.
Nudist and naturist have the same meaning. When I want to appear more refined, I use the word naturist, but there is no difference. The word nudist is more abrupt. But. There. Is. No. Difference.
That. Is. Your. Opinion. Mine is that there is a difference, albeit subtle. I live in the boonies and am certainly a nature lover. Being outdoors gardening or doing other outdoor chores in the nude to me feels great - getting some sun, and feeling the breeze, or going for a walk in the hay fields. But I don't spend every moment that I can in the nude, as some do, so I don't think of myself as a nudist as much. In the end, I don't really care which word gets used; it's just words.
The words mostly mean the same in practical, everyday use once you know the difference. Yes, I understand that "naturism" carries the additional elements of social sensitivity and environmental responsibility. That's fine if one has been introduced to its broader definition. For most people though, "naturist" sounds like "naturalist'. While I might bird-watch while I'm naked, that's not the primary goal. As such, I use "nudist" as that make things fairly clear. If the subject somehow comes up, I tell people I'm a nudist. If I'm asked how I spent my weekend, I'll tell them I was at my nudist club. I always happy to explain going to a club is not some bacchanal but regular people doing ordinary stuff just doing things naked if you want to be.
That. Is. Your. Opinion. Mine is that there is a difference, albeit subtle. I live in the boonies and am certainly a nature lover. Being outdoors gardening or doing other outdoor chores to me feels great - getting some sun, and feeling the breeze, or going for a walk in the hay fields. But I don't spend every moment that I can in the nude, as some do, so I don't think of myself as a nudist as much. In the end, I don't really care which word gets used; it's just words.
Nudism , public nudism of course !
For me, it depends on my situation. My current situation, I can only practice in my room. When I was growing up, I lived in Joshua tree CA and there was some empty space between my school and home so I'd strip down to nothing but socks and shoes. I moved to the Adirondack mountains in northern NY at 18 and would spend time in the woods nude. Now, I am in Colorado and can only practice in my room. In Joshua tree and NY, the term was naturist. Since my step dad retired, I can only be nude in my room so the term is nudist.
Interesting how definitions change over time. I remember when nudists were predominantly club members. They were nude while within the fences and not inclined to visit nude beaches or other public naturist places. People that went to those places rarely identified as a nudist. They quickly got on board with Baxendall's vision of naturism if they used a label at all. I don't correct anyone calling me a nudist, because I'm not that particular. It's not black vs white, but mostly gray.
The difference is subtle, but I think of myself as a naturist. I'm most at home outdoors, either in the natural world or in the constructed nature of our garden. I like the feeling of the air on my entire body, so I'm naked when it's appropriate but also comfortable being dressed while out hiking, camping, and gardening. Being in nature is more important than being naked, but they definitely go together. I'm also a naturalist, with a strong interest in our native flora. Sometimes I engage in naturism while being a naturalist.
Naturism is more than being at home nude in nature. Naturism implies that being nude is the natural state of the human being. Clothing is an artifice which should be worn only as a necessity for health and safety. It speaks to a broader reason for being nude. It confronts all the artficiality of life and rejects it as inhuman and inhumane. We cannot be our truest selves hiding or pretending in clothing. Live nude and discover the real you!
For me Joshu's "nudism is an attitude, and naturism is a practice" comes closest to reflecting my view. For me, being naked is a statement of being: more a personal political act than an attitude. Naturism is a demonstration of the communal sharing of our common nakedness. But that's just my view...
Hmmm... I think of Nudist as a preference to be naked whenever practical including social environments for some folks, while others see it as a strictly "alone and private" experience. I think of Naturist as a preference to be naked outdoors, hiking, gardening, etc. - more of a personal "closer to nature" preference. Could be strictly alone or in a social setting as well. I prefer the term Naturist because it is less likely to trigger an "ewwwww gross" response and I definitely prefer to be outside in nature where I can experience "true bliss". Free hiking in a forest is an incredible way to feel closer to nature and "closer to God" for those who seek this sort of connection. I am an active Catholic and attend Mass weekly. But I would not hesitate to tell someone seeking a closer connection to "God" they might skip going to church and instead find a place to hike, garden, etc. naked.
I see really two distinctions. First, nudism seems to me to be the desire to be naked for any number of reasons; while naturism is a philosophy of interaction with one's environment and nature. Second, in common parlance, nudism seems to be equated to adult only activity often of an erotic nature -- especially in the swinger lifestyle. While, naturism seems to indicate a more family-friendly environment in which normal activities are simply enjoyed textile free.
I prefer nudist since it clearly means "naked" whereas "naturist" is easily confused with "naturalist."