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Totem vs Fetish - What's the difference?

totem | fetish |

As nouns the difference between totem and fetish

is that totem is any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family while fetish is something which is believed to possess, contain, or cause spiritual or magical powers; an amulet or a talisman.

totem

English

(wikipedia totem)

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any natural object or living creature that serves as an emblem of a tribe, clan or family.
  • The representation of such object or creature.
  • The clan whose kinship is defined in reference to such an object or creature.

    • Derived terms

    * totemism * totem pole * totemically

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    fetish

    English

    (wikipedia fetish)

    Alternative forms

    * (l)

    Noun

    (es)
  • Something which is believed to possess, contain, or cause spiritual or magical powers; an amulet or a talisman.
  • Something sexual or nonsexual, such as an object or a part of the body, which arouses sexual desire or is necessary for one to reach full sexual satisfaction.
    • I know a guy who has a foot fetish .
  • (US) An irrational, or abnormal fixation or preoccupation.
  • * 1933': ''We have a feeling that it must be "honest" work, because it is hard and disagreeable, and we have made a sort of '''fetish of manual work.'' -- George Orwell, ''Down and Out in Paris and London , Ch. XXII, pg. 117 (Harvest / Harcourt paperback edition).

    • Related terms

    * fetishism * fetishist * fetishistic * fetishlike * fetishize * fetishwear