Striptease is the act of removing one’s clothing in a sexually suggestive manner, typically as a form of entertainment. It is often performed in nightclubs, cabarets, and other adult entertainment venues. Striptease can be performed by both men and women, and it can range from relatively tame to highly explicit.
The origins of striptease are unclear, but it is thought to have originated in the early 20th century. In the United States, striptease became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, during the Prohibition era. At the time, striptease was often performed in speakeasies and other illegal establishments. After Prohibition ended, striptease became more mainstream and began to be performed in legitimate theaters and nightclubs.