The Art of Massage
J. H. Kellogg, M.D.
1895
 
CORRECT USE OF TERMS.
 
 
    So much ignorance and incorrect usage prevails in relation to the various terms employed in connection with massage and its administration, that it will be worth while to devote a few lines to this part of the subject, as no one thing is so suggestive of ignorance or proficiency as the misuse or correct use of terms.
    Massage is a noun, the literal meaning of which is kneading, as a baker kneads bread. This word, like many other terms relating to massage, is derived directly from the French. It retains its French pronunciation, and is pronounced as though spelled mas-sahzh, and not as though spelled massaj or massaje, which is so frequently heard.
    Masser is a verb, meaning the act of applying massage. It is pronounced as though spelled mas-say.- I masse; you masse; he massees (pronounced as though spelled mas-sa-es).
    Masseing is the present participle, and is pronounced as though spelled mas-sa-ing. - I am masseing.
    Masséed is the past participle, and is pronounced as though spelled mas-sa-ed. - I masséed a patient yesterday..
    Masseur is pronounced very nearly as if spelled mas-sur. The term is applied to a man who administers massage.
    Masseuse is pronounced very nearly as if spelled mas-suse. The term is applied to a woman who administers massage.
    Pétrissage is pronounced as though spelled pa-tris-sahzh . It is a French term applied to deep kneading, as distinguished from superficial kneading.
    Tapotement is pronounced nearly as though spelled tah-pote-mont, and indicates the act of percussion.
    Effleurage is pronounced as though spelled ef-flur-ahzh. It means light friction.
    Centripetal, - toward the center. In relation to massage, the term is applied to movements made in the direction of the blood current in the veins.
    Centrifugal, - from the center. This term is applied to movements made from the heart, or in the direction of the arterial blood current.