For the last couple years lingerie and sexy wear sales have been booming. Intimate apparel terms like bustiers, baby dolls and teddies have become part of the female vocabulary. And their admiring men, too! Both Penney's and Spiegel have recently announced big plans for expanding their lingerie lines. On-line, top Internet-only firms such as Sensual Mystique, Poison Angel and Elegant Moments report booming sales. It appears more and more women are buying lingerie for themselves and accepting gifts of lingerie from their husbands or partners.

A Melbourne fashion retailer has even suggested that the Australian government subsidize lingerie makers to help save marriages. The managing director of Leethal Fashion Accessories, Gail Lee, says the bonds of marriage should be reinforced with satin, lace and a truckload of Federal Government cash. He wants the government to subsidize half the cost. Not surprisingly, the Government has not responded.

Lingerie has come a long way from the white bra and panties photos that graced our mothers' Sears and Penney's catalogs. Now firms such as Victoria's Secret define what women want to wear to feel sexy and desirable to men. And, according to these sellers, it's the men that are doing a good deal of the shopping lately, making purchases that replace flowers or candy for a hot bra/pantie set or a sexy see-through teddy!

Who are these lingerie buying women? That's what Anderson Analytics, A Stamford, Ct marketing research firm, wanted to find out. The results of their research confirmed some assumptions and contradicted others. They found that the "average size" (meaning slightly plus size) American woman feels under served by firms such as Victoria's Secret who cater to a smaller and younger woman. They also discovered that these same American women were surprisingly confident about their sexuality and had no qualms about buying and wearing lingerie. "Career women," however, were more insecure about their body image that what was assumed. "Apparently, size has little to do with our image of ourselves, and corporate stress can have a negative influence on our confidence," the report concluded.

Go to any lingerie store, whether it be a suburban mall or on-line, and you'll be amazed at the variety of choices. The terms alone can be overwhelming especially for clueless males. OK men, let's do some defining:

Baby Dolls - These are lacy short gowns that are typically open in front with a single tie. Most are sheer or semi-sheer. They usually come with a matching thong.

Monokinis - This is a one-piece swim type suit but with large openings to show more skin. Swimming is optional.

Jumpsuits/cat suits- One piece form-fitting head-to-toe suit, many with an opening in front to show skin, sometimes a lot of skin. Usually made of spandex.

Teddy - One-pieces, like the body suit; teddies are often adorned with lace and ribbon. A sexier style comes with garters and is worn with stockings.

Bustier - A figure forming bra with sides that come down to the waist. Think Madonna.

Booty shorts - This hot style is defined by ultra tight spandex shorts that ride high in the rear. Add a matching mini top and you've got a booty short set.

Chain mail- Bra and panty set of linked chain often laced with rhinestones - and little else.

Add in g-strings, mini-dresses, chaps, leather wear, and sleek fishnet hose and you've got a recipe for sexy fun that can infuse spice and variety into almost anyone's relationship.