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

[Ben Zimmer]

As noted on Barry Popik's site (I should've checked there first)...

https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/meet_cute/

On Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 7:07 PM ADSGarson O'Toole <adsgarsonotoole at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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 --' "
>

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