Hey lads, welcome back to Nude Dudes!Cuppa in hand, feet up, birthday suit on (as per usual), and today we’re settling one of those questions that still does the rounds in pub chats and Reddit threads: is it called naturism or nudism? Are they the same thing? Different? Does anyone actually care?Short answer: they’re basically twins who sometimes argue about music and politics, but still live in the same house. Here’s the proper low-down, no waffle.Back in the day (think 1920s–50s), most British people said “nudism.” It was very “health and efficiency,” fresh air on your bits, doing press-ups on a cold beach while some bloke in a moustache shouted about vitality. Nudism sounded a bit medical, a bit worthy, and (let’s be honest) a bit German.Then along came “naturism,” which kept the naked bit but added a whole philosophy: respect for nature, respect for each other, non-sexual social nudity, equality, all that good stuff. British Naturism (the big membership group) deliberately chose “naturism” in the 1960s because it felt warmer, greener, and less like a gym class run by a sergeant major.So, in 2025:
- Nudism = the simple act of being socially naked. “I’m a nudist, I like getting my kit off on the beach.”
- Naturism = nudism + the ethos. “I’m a naturist, I believe in body acceptance, no photos, no creeping, and looking after the planet while I’m starkers.”
In real life? Most of us use them interchangeably. I’ll happily say “I’m off to a nudist beach” on WhatsApp, then “I’m a naturist” when I’m filling in the census. Nobody’s ever corrected me mid-pint.Here’s what actually matters to British blokes right now:
- Nobody at Studland or Morfa Dyffryn is walking round with a clipboard checking your vocabulary. You turn up, drop your shorts, crack open a cold one. Job done.
- If you join British Naturism (the club), they’ll call it naturism because that’s their brand. If you’re just a lone wolf getting your arse out on a quiet bit of coast, you can call yourself whatever you like – nudist, naked bloke, Keith, anything.
- Online dating is where it gets funny. Put “nudist” on your profile and you’ll get a certain type of message. Put “naturist” and it somehow sounds classier. (Same hobby, different font.)
- The younger crowd (20s–30s lads) lean toward “nudist” because it feels less formal. The over-50s often stick with “naturist” because that’s what the club magazine calls it. Again, nobody’s falling out over it.
My personal take? I use whichever word gets the point across fastest. Talking to my mum? “I’m going to a naturist spa, love.” Talking to the group chat before a naked swim? “Lads, nudist session at the pool tonight, £8, bring a towel.”At the end of the day, we’re all just regular guys who think clothes are optional when the sun’s out. Whether you call it naturism, nudism, or “that thing where Dave never wears pants,” the result is the same: happy, relaxed, tan-line-free blokes having a laugh.So next time someone tries to gatekeep the word you use, just smile, raise your brew, and remember: the only real rule is don’t be a creep and always carry a towel.Now if you’ll excuse me, the sun’s hit the garden and these trousers aren’t going to take themselves off.Stay bare, stay happy, whatever you call it.