Anilingus
Anilingus (also spelt analingus and colloquially known as rimming) is sexual activity involving contact between the anus or perianal areas of one person and the mouth of another. Thus, anilingus is simultaneously anal sex and oral sex.
Culture
Rimming is practiced by gay males, mixed-gender (heterosexual, bisexual) and lesbian couples as well. In both sexes, the human anus contains pleasurable nerve endings similar to those in the penis.
Health
Unprotected anilingus involves risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, as well as intestinal parasites and poisoning by contact with feces. However, the risks are mitigated by simple thorough washing with soap and water, and virtually eliminated with the use of a dental dam. When combined with standard courses of hepatitis vaccinations, anilingus is usually regarded as a low-risk sexual activity, for example with regard to the risk of transmission of HIV.
Fame
Famously, the Starr Report made mention of “oral-anal contact” between President Bill Clinton and intern Monica Lewinsky. However, no mention was made in the report of who was on the giving and who was on the receiving end of the act.
References to anilingus were made in the sitcom Sex and the City, where the character Carrie uses the euphemism “tuckus lingus” and in the first several minutes of the first episode of the British Queer as Folk.
Spelling
Note: Although analingus is an extremely common misspelling, the correct Latin would be anilingus, and both Webster's and Oxford's dictionaries list exclusively the latter. The reason is that cunnilingus derives from cunni lingus, meaning literally “licking of [the] cunt” (cunnus being an obscene word in Latin, not a neutral or scientific term; see Lewis & Short's Dictionary). Cunni is genitive singular; the genitive of anus is ani, hence anilingus. However, note that anus in Latin signifies buttocks, not anus.