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Environment & advice

Puff

Colloquially derogatory term for a brothel or establishment.

Auch bekannt als: Puff (umgs.), Bumsbude

Puff is the colloquial, often derogatory term for a brothel, a salon or an establishment in which sex work is offered. The term comes from the Red Welsh "puffen" (= to work noisily) or the Low German "Puff" (= Stoss).

In professional industry discourse (authorities, sex workers, advice centers), "Puff" is avoided - instead the terms Salon (smaller business with independent sex workers), Etablissement (medium-sized business with a license), or are used Brothel (classic term in legal and police jargon).

In the tabloid media, "whorehouse" has a permanent place in headlines - usually in the context of scandals, noise disputes or police raids.

See also

  • Salon — Establishment with several sex workers under one roof, often with reception and security staff.
  • Etablissement — Collective term for salons, brothels and massage establishments offering sexual services.
  • Patentbewilligung — Official permission to operate a salon or establishment.

These definitions serve for general orientation in the Swiss erotic industry. If you have legal or medical questions, contact a specialist (see contact points) or a specialist.

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