What is the origin of the expression 'putting out'

[Nidgit]

I'm hoping some of our American friends here can help me with this one.

We were watching something on TV tonight and the expression 'putting out' came up (in the context of a guy and girl dating) and my wife and I were trying to work out what it actually means in terms of its origins.

We've heard it in movies / TV shows numerous times and we get that it's an expression used in the context of whether or not someone might for example have sex on a first date, but what does it really mean.

I tried googling it's origins and found something about putting the cat out at night or putting pies out to cool, but neither seem right.

So who has a credible theory to help me on this burning social issue

[PureInvasion]

note to self...Australians needs some hobbies



it pretty much means exactly what you said though. Mostly in relation to girls though (guys are always willing to 'put out' )

[Nidgit]

I get what it means, but what does it mean ???


Or am I talking to 74,928 virgins

[Sharkey]

No idea the origins, but an interested as well.

[qz33]

Bit of a discussion similar to what you have already mentioned.
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/fo...1?disclaimer=1

There's also the reference of putting put a fire or I guess a raging desire.

Also there's putting out like you put out food for an animal to sate iteself or bait attract it. I dunno like putting out salt to hunt deers or cheese for a mouse?

Then there's to put yourself out by inconveniencing yourself to please someone else or for their benefit.

I think these last two are the most likely sources of the phrase.

Seems like the phrase is either from the 40's or 1800s. They just didn't have an urban dictionary back then to chronicle its use.

[Nidgit]

Then there's to put yourself out by inconveniencing yourself to please someone else or for their benefit.

You know this one kind of makes sense. At least it does in my house

[Damnation]

Seems its origins are were never confirmed.

"Traditionally, the term “putting out” indicates when a woman is willing to have sexual intercourse with a man. There is no evidence of when or why the term “putting out” adopted its meaning. There is no official definition of the term; therefore, its meaning has several variations"