[Ads-l] cosplay; meet-cute; my tiny violin (UNCLASSIFIED)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

The phrase "meet cute" (with the appropriate sense) is used in the
title and the body of a 1937 short story published in "The New
Yorker".

Date: May 22, 1937
Periodical: The New Yorker
Short Story Title: They Meet Cute
Short Story Author: Alan Campbell
Start Page 37, Quote Page 37
Database: Page scans at archives.newyorker.com

[Begin excerpt]
The rest of the script is fine, boys,” said Mr. Trumpett. “You've got
nice situations and I like the way you've handled your story line and
I like your finish—we're going to have a nice little picture when we
get through with it—but frankly, I don't like your beginning. They
don't meet cute."
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 6:24 PM Ben Zimmer <bgzimmer at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> OED has it from 1941.
>
> to meet cute: (in filmmakers' jargon, of two characters) to have an
> accidental meeting which leads to or is followed by romantic involvement.
> 1941   A. Boucher Case of Solid Key iii. 49   Last night was nice, but this
> is today. We met cute, as they say in story conferences; but people don't
> live cute.
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 6:18 PM MULLINS, WILLIAM D (Bill) CIV USARMY
> FUTURES COMMAND (USA) <0000099bab68be9a-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > > >
> > > > Meet Cute: Accidental/serendipitous introduction or meeting of two
> > people leading to a romantic or emotional connection.
> > > >
> >
> > Older than I would have guessed.
> >
> > _Modern Screen_ Feb 1946 p 87 col 1
> > "Producers pull it on writers.  'Howdoya get the girl and boy together?
> > They gotta meet cute --' "
> >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org