A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
The section of a newspaper, usually headed Personal or Personals, where private individuals paid to print short messages to the public or to one particular reader.
| Type | Historical language |
|---|---|
| Category | Period vocabulary |
| Earliest example in the archive | December 18, 1800, The Times (London) |
| Most common | 1850s to the 2000s |
Nineteenth-century papers ran their personal columns on the front page or among the classifieds, and they carried every kind of private message: courtship, missed connections, coded notes between lovers, and searches for lost friends. In Britain the equivalent section of The Times was nicknamed the agony column; the oldest ads in this archive come from it, starting in 1800. Many ads in this archive open with the word PERSONAL, followed by a dash, as the paper's own label.
Sources: Word Histories, agony column.
A CARD.—If the Lady who a Gentleman handed into her carriage from Covent Garden Theatre, on Wednesday, the third of this month, will oblige the…
MATRIMONY.—A TRADESMAN, in a pleasant part of London, wishes to meet with a PARTNER for LIFE. A handsome face is not so much his wish as an…
A LADY who passed a Gentleman on Monday, the 17th of this month, in Hart-street, Bloomsbury, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, without speaking to…
IF MRS. D. E. HAS RETURNED TO NEW YORK, SHE will much oblige her friend (who had the pleasure of paying some attention to her in the cars to Baltimore on Sunday night,…
IMPATIENCE.—YOUR LETTER RECEIVED. HAVE NO one I could trust. Am very anxious to see you, but am perplexed how to arrange a meeting. Can you come to town if I send you…
LATIMER.—I WAITED AT NINETEENTH TILL 8. Scarcely expected you. Can't we name Saturday, at 7—14—2, for half an hour or more? I would name to-morrow, only fearing I will…
PERSONAL.—If Miss SARAH HALL, formerly of Richmond, Va., is in the city, she will please drop a line through the Post Office, to ANDERSON.
RETURNED TO THE OLD PLACE, 65 (NEW NO. 118).—Would Charley please call and oblige? CARRIE WHITE.
ELAINE WILL ADDRESS LANCELOT AS REquested.
PERSONAL—FROM H. TO L.—CALL MONDAY afternoon sure. I leave the city on Tuesday.
PERSONAL—"YOURS FAITHFULLY" IS VERY anxious to hear from you; remained all the week, and will as much longer as possible; believe in him under any and all circumstances;…
PERSONAL—CANNOT SEE YOU TODAY; Saturday's letter received; will see you soon.
ROME none. Very anxious. Please soon as convenient; eamcosh as usual. Did you write? Only here very short time. Francklyn more than ever.
MAY—We go to chutes when you say the word. W. S. M.
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…
NICK B.: Didn't see you at Third and Verona. OLGA K.
PERSONAL—Harry Horgan; write to Pat as soon as possible.
YOUNG man (35), dark, quiet disposition, would like to meet young lady, view friendship and above. Snap if possible. “Sincere,” this office.
RON would like to see you, much to tell, if still interested, write address to G.P.O. L.
THREE smart young Ladies wish to meet three smart city gentlemen at Holts, view marriage.
RECEIVED letters Wednesday from lady 50, was waiting appointment, 8 o’clock. Reply letters again your full address 46 York street, Boulder.
GENT., 39, Prot., wishes meet Yng. Lady view Mat. 7870, Herald.
J.—In order to maintain dignity and respect for all concerned, suggest you write me, No. 7868, Herald. Most anxious to understand.
SORRY: Seats not available, darling. Booked Monday.—A.M.L.
The personal column moved online in the 1990s, to sites like Craigslist, and after Craigslist closed its personals in 2018, to apps. The idea is the same: a short, public piece of writing meant for one kind of reader. What happened to Craigslist Personals? tells that part of the story.
Know a term we are missing? Suggest one.
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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