11 replies
Hi guys,

I'm brainstorming for a book title for a self-help book related to sex. My question is mostly aimed at native English speakers.

Do any of you guys know the expression:

Carnal Knowledge?

I want to use it as the title, but was wondering if people understand the meaning of it.

Thanks
#copywriting #rate #title
  • In case anyone doesn't know the meaning...


    Carnal

    adjective

    relating to physical, esp. sexual, needs and activities: carnal desire.


    It featured a fair bit in the 70's and 80's maybe because "Sex" was a touch too explicit.

    I didn't see it myself but there was a movie called "Carnal Knowledge" in 1972 starring Jack Nicholson and Candice Bergen.

    I wouldn't use the title today - it seems old fashioned (and you DO need people to understand the words).


    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    What's the title?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    In addition to the term being a bit dated, I wonder if there would be any number of potential copyright issues presented by using it.

    To answer your question, though, I think most of us natives would "get it"
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  • Profile picture of the author Phil
    I wouldn't use it for all the reasons already given. And some.

    Most people would be unfamiliar with the word 'carnal' or would
    at least be more familiar with words sharing the same latin root
    - carnalis means 'flesh' and is in other words refering to flesh
    such as carnivore, meaning meat eater, and charnal as in charnal
    house, meaning a graveyard - which was also the title of a film,
    but a horror film.

    So I think it's possible some people might think it's knowledge
    about meat, or something other than sex, at least. Titles need to
    be clear and easy to understand. This one isn't. And, to be honest,
    I don't think it was a good title for a film either.

    For these reasons I just don't think it's an inherently sexy word,
    as it refers to the body as flesh, as something that can be eaten,
    as in carnivorous, or die as in charnal, rather than as something
    unconditionally desirable - which is the topic of your book.

    And the word 'knowledge' is also rather unsexy and not expecially
    attractive, in buying terms. People like to buy 'tips', 'help', 'secrets',
    or even 'information', but knowledge? It sounds rather too dry
    and academic.

    Which would you buy - A book offering 'Self-Help knowledge' or
    'Self-Help Tips', Self-Help Secrets', or even 'Self-Help Help!'?

    I think David Reuben's book on sex had the best title - 'Everything
    You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)'.
    Which, of course, Woody Allen used for his film, too.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    Horrible, horrible title. Brings to mind "He was charged with carnal knowledge" - which usually relates to underage sex/sex with a minor. With or without their consent.
    Carnal Knowledge: it is legally significant in that it is a necessary legal characteristic or element of rape, child molestation, or consensual sexual relations with a girl below the age of consent ("statutory rape").
    This is what you need -

    Amazon.com: POP!: Create the Perfect Pitch,...Amazon.com: POP!: Create the Perfect Pitch,...
    Chapter 4
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    • Profile picture of the author Standus
      thanks i will check that book out. I'm trying to find a 'thank you' buttom or something but can't find it. Any help? ;-)
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      • Profile picture of the author MatthewRHallEsq
        Originally Posted by Standus View Post

        thanks i will check that book out. I'm trying to find a 'thank you' buttom or something but can't find it. Any help? ;-)
        You'll get it when you post 6 times or something like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChadHaynes
    It's not cheeky enough.

    What do readers stand to gain from reading the book? What will be the difference between someone on page 1 and someone who's just finished it?

    Express that benefit in a cheeky way. Ensure that the title makes the subject matter seem lighthearted and fun rather than pornographic and embarrassing.

    Imagine you're the reader. Imagine you died in the middle of reading the book and someone found you with it. What title would make people view you in a positive light, rather than as a dirty creep, for reading the subject matter?

    My 2 cents.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    Carnal Knowledge: Make Her Scream So Loud The Cops Show Up.

    You could make it work with a nice sub-title. In the U.S, at least, I don't think people identify "carnal knowledge" with "pedophilia".
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    • Profile picture of the author Standus
      Thanks, better look for something else then
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  • Profile picture of the author MatthewRHallEsq
    Remember in To Kill a Mockingbird where the phrase "carnal knowledge" is used as a euphemism for rape?

    Because I did, immediately on reading the phrase. And maybe some of your audience will make the same connection.
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