| VAMatt said: VD refers to a specific subset of STDs. At least, that's how we do it in the US. |
STD is a more recent term, from the 80s or 90s which was more or less brought in because it was less stigmatized. Then STI came in to replace it once STD gained all the stigma of VD. They claim different technical meanings but, in actual practice, all mean the same thing.
The reason for the change is largely due to old ones becoming too stigmatized for discussion.
Someone brought up pox as a medieval term - it is, it entered the English language during Middle English, and is descended all the way back to Proto-Germanic thousands of years ago.
At some point, venereal disease replaced it. This originated in Latin, and was introduced through the Norman conquest of England. In the 1600s it became commonly used, replacing pox.
At the turn of the 20th century, they decided a less offensive term was required. That's when Social Disease was introduced, and others less successful.
By the 1930s VD came to be the term, and that remained the main word until around the 1990s when STD replaced it; although STD was first used in the late 70s. VD is just short for venereal disease. That VD poster in the original post was from the TV show Friends season 1 in 1994; just before STD became more commonly used.
STI was introduced in the 80s, but didn't catch on until around a decade ago. It has fallen into less use... an I just doesn't have the rind of a D.
That's the history of it.
I believe right now we are in the era of STDs.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
