[quote author=jonb link=board=pe;num=1079594285;start=0#8 date=03/21/04 at 15:10:36]
"Sounds like a word for masturbation. Probably of Semitic origin, judging by the orthography."
[/quote]
Sorry. While I can't "rattle off" more fancy words!
I might be able to shed (some) light here.
The term "jelq" may sound like masturbation--particularly to those who have never heard about it or practiced it. From what I have read over the years and come to understand about it (and, have performed many of these techniques myself), jelq originated in the Arabic communities many, many years ago and was a practice that was customarily "passed down" from generation to generation among fathers and their sons. Developing penis size seemed to be quite a "custom" if you will. Large sizes (even back then) were much sought after. So--what else is new? Fathers encouraged their sons to begin jelq at about the age of 12 years or so. The wealthy families supposedly even employed masseurs to assist these sons in learning the proper ways to perform jelq. (Can you imagine? I can just read now the comments to follow here that I probably have generated from just having stated that!)
When observed, jelq certainly LOOKS like masturbation, but if the various conditioning techniques (and the DURATION of the exercises!) are followed with any faithfulness, then the "pleasure" of stroking becomes hard work....disregarding the pun, of course. Deliberate long "milking" sessions (slow and methodically) for minutes and minutes on-end and conducted daily comprise the main technique, but-- there are a few" twists" thrown in for variety (i.e. specific conditioning goals). The aforementinoned thundersplace website indeed does cover the topic very well...probably one of the best, most logical internet sources, really. Just stick with the basic jelq techniques, though. There can be some (proven!) risks to the more elaborate jelq sessions which introduce bizarre techniques that are plain foolish, IMHO. Those advance jelq maneuvers are certainly NOT for the novice. --You've been forewarned.
My point is to not take "jelq" too lightly here. It's for an expressed purpose and if indeed taken seriously, it can often produce favorable results--primarily conditioning the penis for improved circulation and improved sexual health and performance along with that sideline of some beneficial increases in girth for many men. As I have noted so very often here, jelq doesn't necessarily contribute to significant LENGTH improvements for the most part...Just girth gains of 1/2 inch (or slightly better) over much time.