[Ads-l] friends with benefits

[dave at WILTON.NET]

Alanis Morrisette's song "Head Over Feet," which appeared on the 1996 album "Jagged Little Pill":

"You're the best listener that I've ever met
You're my best friend
Best friend with benefits
What took me so long?"

I'm sure the phrase is older. This song is when I became aware of it.



-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> On Behalf Of Jonathan Lighter
Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 7:21 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: [ADS-L] friends with benefits

2001 Times-Picayune [New Orleans] (March 31) E-2:

“Dear Abby: …I am attracted to one of my college friends. …I asked him if he would like to be ‘friends with benefits.’ You know - friends who show affection and who comfort each other, with no strings attached…. Do you think I am setting myself up for a fall?”

The movie, “Friends with Benefits,” appeared in 2011.

JL

--
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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