when "intercourse" got funny

Sat Sep 30 16:42:06 UTC 2006

Very interesting, John.  If many people were snickering by 1890, an annoying  minority presumably started years earlier.

  But they may have been secret snickerers. Sex was so taboo in polite conversation before 1920, that I suppose many people would refrain from showing their amusement at such words lest it be thought they were degenerates.  And some of them would keep on using them in writing, persuaded that any potential double-entendre should be opposed because nonsexual "intercourse," e.g., was an established and correct sense.  In fact, "the" correct sense.

  What I'm saying is, they thought the words were funny, but decorum and a strict Victorian understanding of "self-respect" may have kept them from letting on until the "First Sexual Revolution" in the 1920s.

  JL

"Baker, John" <JMB at STRADLEY.COM> wrote:
  ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: "Baker, John"
Subject: Re: when "intercourse" got funny
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think I can narrow it down to the 1880s. The change in connotations =
seems to have been fairly dramatic. I did a Westlaw search, and here is =
a random selection of quotes using "intercourse" in legal opinions in =
1879:
=20
=20
"and quite another to deal with it as an existing entity, a person, =
after it is created by regulating its intercourse =
3&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D1&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA484022299&rs=3DWLW=
6.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=
=3DDOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT494022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl=
&scxt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedcit=
elist=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTER=
COURSE+%26+DA(BEF+1880)&method=3DTNC> , relations, and acts as to other =
existing persons, natural and artificial."
=20
"The place was favorably situated for trade and intercourse =
&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D2&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA484022299&rs=3DWLW6=
.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT494022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1880)&method=3DTNC> with the Indians and immigrants from =
the east"
=20
"the schooner General Pinckney and cargo were seized and condemned for =
violating the law of Congress prohibiting intercourse =
&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D3&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA484022299&rs=3DWLW6=
.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT494022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1880)&method=3DTNC> with certain ports"
=20
"and this to a greater extent than ordinary intercourse =
&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D4&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA484022299&rs=3DWLW6=
.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT494022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1880)&method=3DTNC> between citizens, for they tended to =
increase the resources of the enemy"
=20
"marks the course the United States pursues towards the nations with =
which they have intercourse =
&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D5&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA484022299&rs=3DWLW6=
.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT494022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1880)&method=3DTNC> "
=20
"It shall be the general duty of Indian agents and subagents to manage =
and superintend the intercourse =
&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D6&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA484022299&rs=3DWLW6=
.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT494022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1880)&method=3DTNC> with the Indians within their =
respective agencies agreeably to law"
=20
"that he, the said Zack Haley, had had sexual intercourse =
sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D7&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA484022299&rs=3DWLW6.=
09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT494022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1880)&method=3DTNC> with said Emma Matthews twice"
=20
=20
=20
So the trend is clear: In 1879, "intercourse" was used freely and =
without embarrassment, and its default meaning was nonsexual, although =
it could refer to sex with an appropriate modifier. Now, in contrast, =
here are some uses from 1889:
=20
=20
"and further imputing that plaintiff had carried on unlawful sexual =
intercourse =
sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D1&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6.=
09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> with said men"
=20
"that he, the defendant, was the first man who ever had sexual =
intercourse =
sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D2&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6.=
09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> with said Sarah J. Ramos"
=20
"Such a house, if usually, is not necessarily, kept by persons who are =
themselves given over to promiscuous intercourse =
sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D3&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6.=
09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> ."
=20
"that although he had had sexual intercourse =
&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D4&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6=
.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> with plaintiff, yet it was prior to =
a time when said child must have been conceived"
=20
"a disposition to illicit intercourse =
sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D5&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6.=
09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> on the part of the wife"
=20
"She accused me of having intercourse =
&sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D6&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6=
.09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> with the woman, and would go into a =
rage"
=20
"they then had sexual intercourse =
sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D7&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6.=
09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> , which act was repeated in about a =
week thereafter. After that they had like intercourse =
sv=3DSplit&fn=3D_top&n=3D7&vr=3D2.0&sskey=3DCLID_SSSA115022299&rs=3DWLW6.=
09&ss=3DCNT&referencepositiontype=3DT&eq=3Dsearch&db=3Dallcases-old&cnt=3D=
DOC&rlt=3DCLID_QRYRLT125022299&srch=3DTRUE&rp=3D%2fsearch%2fdefault.wl&sc=
xt=3DWL&cfid=3D1&docsample=3DFalse&rltdb=3DCLID_DB273222299&blinkedciteli=
st=3DFalse&origin=3DSearch&mt=3DWestlaw&service=3DSearch&query=3DINTERCOU=
RSE+%26+DA(BEF+1890)&method=3DTNC> two or three times a week"
=20
=20
I emphasize the random nature of these selections, which simply =
consisted of the last 7 cases using the word in 1879 and the last 7 in =
1889. By 1889, 7 out of 7 instances involved sex, and it meant coitus =
when used in unmodified form. Of course, I would have found some =
nonsexual uses if I had kept at it, but only a minority.
=20
I can't say how long people were willing to use "intercourse" without =
embarrassment. It's hard to make a sound judgment, because there will =
always be some writers who choose to use the word in a determinedly =
anachronistic manner.
=20
=20
John Baker
=20

________________________________

From: American Dialect Society on behalf of Jonathan Lighter
Sent: Fri 9/29/2006 8:25 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: when "intercourse" got funny

Wikipedia relates that Intercourse, PA, didn't receive its current name =
till 1814.

For decades before that, it was "Cross Keys."

So, if Wiki is correct, "intercourse" still must have been very =
unfunny in 1814. At least to villagers in rural Pennsylvania.

People's minds have been provably in the gutter at least since =
Aristophanes (fl. 410 B.C.). The present investigation seeks to =
discover when they dragged "intercourse" down with them.

JL

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