Editing Perversion (section)

==History of concept==
One view is that the concept of perversion is subjective,<ref name="Martins"/> and its application varies depending on the individual. Another view considers that perversion is a degradation of an objectively true morality.  Originating in the 1660s, a pervert was originally defined as "one who has forsaken a doctrine or system regarded as true, apostate."<ref name="etymonlinepervert">{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pervert|title=Pervert|website=Online Etymology Dictionary|access-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> The sense of a pervert as a sexual term was derived in 1896, and applied originally to variants of sexualities or sexual behavior believed harmful by the individual or group using the term. There is a transition to the sexual in 'the technique of purposeful perversion' of conversational remarks: "Purposeful perversion of what a woman has said ... is a long step closer to a direct attempt at seduction or rape."<ref>G. Legman, ''Rationale of the Dirty Joke Vol I'' (Panther 1973) p. 238–9)</ref>

The noun sometimes occurs in abbreviated [[slang]] form as "perv" and used as a verb meaning "to act like a pervert", and the adjective "pervy" also occurs. All are often, but not exclusively, used non-seriously.