Slut - Yes, multiple playmates - ie change partners like changing underwear. If you only have one at a time, you don't fall into any kind of "poly" category. Because the word "poly" means multiple. If they are someone who has multiple at the same time, then that would imply that they had them for a certain LENGTH of time (at least long enough to say that they had 2 at the SAME time) which would indicate at least a modicum of length to their relationship. You don't have to be involved for 3 years to be poly (or, heck, even 3 months!), you just need to be committed to at least one person in a semi-secure way (ie dating) and have at least one other person (either dating or merely just playing) on the side.

Polyamorous, to me, is different than Polygamy. Polygamy is seriously dating more than one person. Polyamory is "loving" multiple people. It may be a subtle difference, but an important one when you are living a poly life style so that everyone is on the same page.

And, sorry, being open to poly and BEING poly are different. Case in point, my husband and I are polyamorous. We have quite a few friends who are poly-curious (fear my word inventioning! :) ) or even "think" they'd be open to being poly, but when they have tried have discovered that they actually can't handle the sharing. Until you've actually gotten into that situation, you can't know for sure how you'll react.

Incidentally, I also think that any sort of poly only counts if everyone is on board. If you are someone who "cheats" and lies to their partners, then you don't qualify as poly or a slut - basically you qualify as a greedy, self-centered jerk who thinks that their personal gratification is more important than the feelings of those they are with. But that's a subject for another day... :)

Dang... sorry for the long ranty ness. :) Suppose it's just something that I feel intimately connected with, due to the fact that I've not only been in a poly marriage for almost 3 years but the fact that I've also become a kind of "expert" for my friends (which is annoying, in many ways) who want to know what it's all about and possibly try it out. I've found myself holding a lot of hands recently and mostly I just want to say "if you need this much support, then I don't think this lifestyle is for you!" :D

Lots of love to all here. Some of my best friends are sluts ;)

*~*
"Does bouncing count?" - Silk, The Magician's Gambit by David Eddings