The Secret Behind the Upside-Down Pineapple Symbol

If you’re walking down the corridor of your local cruise ship, you might notice a couple sporting apparel with upside-down pineapple print and think, “Well, that’s an interesting way to let people know you aren’t a fan of pineapples.” And then you see a literal pineapple hanging from their door and wonder if you’re hallucinating from the all-you-can-eat oyster buffet on the upper deck.

But what if we told you that this pineapple was the portal to a secret society?

OK, so it’s not exactly the Freemasons. Instead, this tropical fruit has a succulent and sexy hidden meaning. The upside-down pineapple is the swinger’s calling card.

It’s essentially the swinger’s version of the bat signal, but there’s much more to learn about the upside-down pineapple’s meaning. What does the pineapple mean sexually? What are swingers? And why a pineapple when coconuts are sitting right there? Sit tight while we expose the erotic message behind this topsy-turvy fruit of frivolity.

What does an upside-down pineapple mean?

The upside-down pineapple denotes that a person is either a swinger or looking for a swinging party. They’ll get creative with where they put the pineapple; you might see it on a T-shirt or piece of jewelry. Or they might get bold and tip one upside down right in front of you while making eye contact to see how you react.

The pineapple doesn’t even have to be upside down to be a symbol for swinging. Swingers and pineapples go together like official partners and their respective side pieces, so if you see an out-of-place pineapple that looks like it’s guarding the coat check, it’s probably safe to say there are some swingers nearby.

Wait, what’s a swinger, exactly?

Swinging is a type of non-monogamy usually practiced between couples. These couples enjoy having sex with other people — typically other couples. If you’ve ever heard of the term “key party,” that’s another artifact of swinging culture. It’s a party where swingers congregate to have some adult fun.

Swinging might be synonymous with casual non-monogamy, but those who dub themselves swingers are often much more invested in their title than those who like to hook up here and there. There are full-blown swinging communities where people can let it all hang out, and pineapples are free to be used at potlucks rather than reserved for telling your neighbors you’re super friendly.

A succulent sex symbol: The upside-down pineapple meaning’s origin

Why, of all the potential fruits, did pineapples become synonymous with swingers and sex?

The fruit has long been a symbol of hospitality. In the 1700s, American colonists would import pineapples from South America in droves. The foreign fruit eventually became a way for captains and ship workers to let people know they had arrived home safely by leaving one in front of their door.

Before that, however, the pineapple took on a very different meaning. Literature has given it the same treatment as the apple, signifying eroticism and seduction. Although history hasn’t said anything about Adam and Eve being swingers (Steve hasn’t broken his silence), Eve’s apple and the pineapple received the same lustful view from the general public.

During the Revolutionary War, however, food riots swept through most of the American colonies. This made the originally shrug-inducing sight of a pineapple even more peculiar — and peculiar was kind of the point. Much like other secret societies, the secret code of swingers eventually evolved. The pineapple was turned upside down to drive the point home that this was an alternative, debaucherous lifestyle — that’s also super fun and quirky.

Another reason it’s become such a ubiquitous motif for swingers? It’s innocuous enough for most people to shrug and keep walking when they see it, but the girlies who get it get it (and then they get it).

Upside-down pineapple on cruise ships

You’ll most likely see the upside-down pineapple in action on a cruise ship. Guests may hang an actual pineapple upside down from their door to let others know they’re down to clown, which unfortunately leads to some rather bland fruit salads for the rest of us.

But once you see it, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on a “pineapple cruise.” The practice isn’t nearly as common as it used to be. Between the convenience of dating apps and the advent of specialty cruises where everyone on board is on board, pineapples may be strictly reserved for eating.

Although the upside-down pineapple is the pinnacle of alerting others to your sexual preferences at sea, it sees the same kind of play on dry land. It’s commonly found in resorts, where couples will place a pineapple outside their door and wait for someone — or someones — to get the hint and start knocking, both on their door and their boots.

Upside-down pineapple on clothing

It’s much more realistic to display upside-down pineapples on your clothing, mainly because you don’t have to hunt down an attendant and keep bribing them to bring you fruit from the walk-in fridge.

Jewelry is a common way to display your desire to swing or be swung. Swingers love a subtle choker or ring with an upside-down pineapple charm, usually to make it obvious they’re into pairing up with other couples. You might also see swingers rocking a pineapple as a badge or pin.

For those who prefer a louder approach, pineapple shirts or bathing suits are another common sight — particularly on cruise ships. Don’t worry if your favorite shirt features a pineapple; most swingers know it isn’t universally recognized outside their realm.

Still, if a couple gets overly friendly with you while you’re decked out in pineapple swim trunks, they’re probably giving you a very intentional vibe to see how you respond. Where that goes is up to you.

Upside-down pineapples everywhere else

So where else can you put an upside-down pineapple to demonstrate your desire for a neighborly dicking down? Practically anywhere — although there are a few other notable places where you might see a pineapple that indicates there’s a swinging gambit in action.

The grocery store

Is the grocery store a good place to shop for a hookup? Swingers certainly think so, especially since their calling card is sitting right there in the produce aisle. Swinging couples may put an upside-down pineapple in their cart and walk around the store until someone gets the hint.

If you’re worried about giving off the wrong impression, ensure your fruits stay upright at all times. Otherwise, people may assume you want an unexpected item in your bagging area.

Other accessories

Some people don’t want to give off a Jimmy Buffet vibe with every piece of their wardrobe, so they let their belongings talk for them. They might display a pineapple sticker upside down on a laptop at coffee shops.

Tattoos

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, we have those who are so dedicated to the swinging lifestyle that they’ll proudly print a pineapple on their skin with a tattoo. It’s quite the commitment, but with inflation and everything, it’s not a bad way to keep your grocery costs to a minimum.

Other swinger symbols

This might surprise you, but not everyone fully grasps that a pineapple means you’re DTF, nor is everyone who likes pineapple garb and decor trying to get in your pants. Even if they’re in the know, it’s often not enough to confirm whether you’re a signaling swinger or just a tropical fruit enthusiast.

Other symbols that could suggest someone swings that way include:

Pampas grass growing in the front yard
Wearing a black ring on the right hand
White landscaping rocks
An anklet, thumb ring, or toe ring
Switching your wedding ring to your right hand

It might sound a little wacky to assume that a family who happens to like white landscaping rocks is also interested in a spouse swap. But once you start seeing these symbols together (white landscaping rocks, pampas grass, and a pineapple outside the front door?), the message couldn’t be more clear: This home of pineapple swingers fucks.

The upside-down pineapple symbol: Do you swing that way?

With this newfound knowledge about the upside-down pineapple’s meaning for swingers, you’ll have some context for your next fruit-laden cruise. What will you do with this information? Well, that’s between you and your fruit salad, friend.

Are you looking for someone who will swing your way and turn you upside down? Grindr’s grid is always swimming with possibilities, whether you’re sultry at sea or a lustful landlubber. Download the Grindr app now and get started.