“Soaking” is a slang term that refers to a controversial and humorous Mormon cultural phenomenon — where a couple engages in penetration without movement to technically avoid breaking religious rules about premarital sex.
In simple words:
“Soaking” means inserting but not moving, under the belief that as long as there’s no thrusting, it doesn’t count as sex. 😳
It’s often mentioned in memes, jokes, and videos on TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter (X) — where users mock or parody this supposed “loophole” within the Mormon community.
However, the topic also ties into serious discussions about religion, purity culture, and sexual ethics — so let’s explore its meanings, origins, and internet fame in full detail.
💡 Quick Overview of “Soaking”
| Context | Meaning | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Religious slang (Mormon) | Penetration without movement | “They were soaking to stay ‘pure’” |
| Internet slang / memes | Mocking or joking about the act | “TikTok is obsessed with soaking memes” |
| Broader slang | A weird or absurd loophole | “That’s some next-level soaking logic 💀” |
🧠 What Does “Soaking” Mean in Slang?
In slang and internet culture, “soaking” refers to a specific sexual act or non-act, where a man penetrates a woman but doesn’t move — claiming that this avoids “sex.”
The idea supposedly comes from young Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) who are taught to abstain from premarital sex.
So, they believe that if there’s no motion, it technically doesn’t count as breaking that rule.
Of course, this has become a meme because — well, it still very much counts. 😅
💬 Example:
- Friend 1: “Did you hear about that BYU couple?”
- Friend 2: “Yeah… they were soaking.”
On social media, “soaking” has become shorthand for any kind of absurd loophole or pretending to follow the rules while breaking them in spirit.
📖 The Origin of “Soaking” in Mormon Culture
To understand soaking, you need to know a bit about Mormon beliefs.
Mormons emphasize chastity and sexual purity before marriage — meaning no sex, no touching below the belt, and often not even passionate kissing.
As a result, some young members at Brigham Young University (BYU) allegedly began joking about or even attempting “soaking” as a workaround — doing the act but without motion.
The logic?
If there’s no “thrusting,” then technically it’s not sex.
Whether or not real people do it regularly is unclear — but the idea became a viral internet joke symbolizing religious loopholes and repressed behavior.
🌐 How “Soaking” Went Viral Online
“Soaking” became mainstream internet slang after TikTok trends and Reddit discussions in 2021–2022, when users began posting funny “storytimes,” memes, and urban legend-style retellings.
It blew up on:
- TikTok: Comedy sketches about BYU dorms and “jump-humping.”
- Reddit (r/exmormon): Real former members sharing their thoughts on purity rules.
- Twitter (X): Memes mocking “religious loophole logic.”
📈 Timeline:
- 2010s: The term circulates in Mormon and college communities.
- 2021: TikTok and Twitter make it go viral globally.
- 2022–2025: “Soaking” becomes part of pop culture vocabulary.
Now, it’s often used humorously beyond religion — to describe any ridiculous rule-bending.
Example:
“He says he’s dieting but eats fries every day. Man’s soaking his diet.”
😅 What Is “Jump Humping”? (Bonus Term)
If you’ve heard of “jump humping”, it’s the next-level meme version of soaking.
It supposedly means when a third person jumps on the bed to create movement for the couple — so they can still claim they aren’t technically thrusting. 💀
It’s unclear whether anyone has ever actually done this, but the concept became an instant meme hit.
TikTok creators began making skits about “designated jump humpers”, turning the concept into pure absurdist comedy.
Example:
“When your roommate asks you to be their jump-humper… 🚪👀”
📱 “Soaking” on TikTok & Social Media
TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter have made “soaking” one of those slang terms that transcend their origin and become part of general meme culture.
| Platform | Example | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | “POV: your roommate’s soaking again 💀” | Comedy skits |
| “Soaking explained: the Mormon loophole” | Informative / funny | |
| X (Twitter) | “New rule: no soaking in this dorm!” | Meme / roast |
| YouTube Shorts | Animated skits mocking BYU dorm life | Satire |
Even mainstream creators and comedians joined the trend — joking about how far people go to avoid guilt while still seeking pleasure.
🔍 Literal Meaning vs. Slang Meaning
| Context | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Literal | Submerging something in liquid | “Soaking the dishes in water” |
| Slang | Penetration without movement (sexual loophole) | “They were soaking, not moving” |
| Figurative | Taking in information or emotion deeply | “I’m soaking it all in” |
This shows how the slang form completely transformed the original innocent meaning.
💬 Real-Life Reactions to “Soaking”
“Soaking” has sparked a mix of humor, curiosity, and disbelief online.
Reactions include:
- 🤣 “This can’t be real.”
- 😳 “People actually do this??”
- 🤔 “It says more about purity culture than anything else.”
Some ex-Mormons confirm the idea existed in jokes and whispered conversations, but others insist it’s mostly myth and exaggeration amplified by the internet.
Either way, it’s now a symbol of religious absurdity in meme culture — and proof that the internet can turn anything into comedy gold.
⚖️ Soaking & Purity Culture Discussion
Beyond the jokes, soaking touches a deeper conversation about purity culture — the idea that sex is shameful outside of marriage, which can create confusion and guilt around natural human experiences.
Experts say terms like soaking highlight how:
- Young people may bend rules to cope with repression.
- Religious environments often encourage technical loopholes instead of open discussion.
- These beliefs can lead to psychological tension between faith and desire.
So while funny on the surface, soaking also represents a real cultural struggle about sex, morality, and modern youth identity.
💬 Examples of “Soaking” Used Online (Funny + Contextual)
| Type | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Meme | “Me explaining soaking to my mom 💀” | Comedy / absurd humor |
| Joke Tweet | “Soaking is just Mormon edging 😭😭” | Mockery |
| Serious Comment | “This shows how purity culture confuses people.” | Reflection |
| Parody Video | “How to Soak Without Sin (BYU Tutorial)” | Satire |
The key to understanding this slang is tone — it’s almost never used seriously outside religious discussions.
🤓 Linguistic Insight: Why It’s Called “Soaking”
The term “soaking” likely came from the literal image of something being immersed but still — in this case, physical contact without motion.
It’s a euphemism, a soft word replacing a taboo topic.
This is common in religious or conservative communities where open discussions about sex are avoided.
The ironic humor comes from using such a calm, everyday word to describe something very not calm. 😅
❓ FAQs About “Soaking”
1. What does soaking mean in slang?
→ It means penetration without movement — often used to mock the Mormon sexual loophole.
2. Is soaking real?
→ Some ex-Mormons claim it’s been joked about, but most agree it’s exaggerated online.
3. What does jump humping mean?
→ It’s a joke variation where a friend jumps on the bed to “create motion.”
4. Why is it called soaking?
→ Because the participants just “soak” — no movement, like marinating.
5. What does soaking mean on TikTok?
→ It’s a meme referencing Mormon culture and purity rules.
6. Is soaking considered sex?
→ Biologically, yes. Religiously or culturally, that’s where the “debate” comes in.
7. Is soaking sinful in Mormon belief?
→ Officially, yes. The church doesn’t approve of any sexual contact before marriage.
🏁 Conclusion
So, what does “soaking” mean?
It’s both a literal internet meme and a symbolic cultural story — born from a misunderstood religious workaround that the internet turned into viral comedy.
While some claim it’s based on real Mormon practices, others see it as an exaggerated joke highlighting how purity rules can twist common sense.
Today, “soaking” isn’t just about sex or religion — it’s a universal meme about finding absurd loopholes, repressing desire, and how far people go to technically follow rules.
In short:
“Soaking” = The world’s strangest way to pretend you’re not doing what you’re clearly doing. 💀
