A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
The standard polite phrase for wanting to meet someone, used in ads written by both men and women.
| Type | Historical language |
|---|---|
| Category | Formula |
| Earliest example in the archive | March 10, 1878, Chicago Daily Tribune |
| Most common | 1850s to the 1920s |
Acquaintance was the respectable word. It committed to nothing, and it could be dressed up (form the acquaintance), shortened (wishes acquaintance of lady) or turned frank, as in the 1878 Chicago ad from a lady of 40 who desired the acquaintance of a few gentlemen.
PERSONAL—A LADY OF 40 DESIRES THE ACquaintance of a few gentlemen over that age. Address X 58, Tribune office.
PERSONAL—A YOUNG MAN WITH a good business wishes to form the acquaintance of some lady with some means; object matrimony. Please address, in confidence, B 85, Tribune…
MIDDLE-AGED GENTLEMAN, WHO HAS a fine home in the country, would like to make the acquaintance of a lady having some means; object, matrimouy. Address J. S., Sorrento,…
WANTED—The acquaintance of a refined, well educated lady, not over 30, by a bachelor; college graduate, good position; object matrimony. Address P. O. box 405, Colorado…
IF gentleman who made the acquaintance of lady on Southern Pacific train that arrived here from Portland Tuesday morning, June 13, and was to have met her same evening 5…
WANTED—By gentleman who has few leisure hours in the evening to form the acquaintance of lady. Object matrimony. Address, "Frank," care Herald Democrat.
MIDDLE-AGED professional gentleman from the East; desires the acquaintance of a lady; object matrimony. Box 555, Call office.
A GENTLEMAN, 32, fairly good looking, good dresser and fond of good time, desires to form the acquaintance of an attractive brunette, not over 25. Must be stylish.…
WIDOWER of 45 wishes acquaintance of lady with view to matrimony. Box 210 Tribune.
ELDERLY LADY with property, wishes acquaintance of gentleman of suitable age and good habits, resources. Box 100T Republican.
I WANT the acquaintance of a young lady for a young gentleman friend of mine. She should be about 22—23 years of age, rather pretty, of medium height, well educated (may…
INTELLIGENT YOUNG LADY, 25 years of age, brunette, taller than medium height, considered attractive, both in personality and appearance, refined and musical, would like…
PRETTY, intelligent American girl 22, from wealthy parentage, seeks acquaintance with young good-looking professional man, brunette, from orhtodox parentage. From New…
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How this fits into 170 years of personal ad shorthand: From Object Matrimony to LTR: How Personal Ads Learned to Talk in Code.
All dictionary entries · The Personals Archive · How to write a personal ad
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