A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
Pleasant, agreeable company: someone the writer would enjoy spending time with.
| Type | Historical language |
|---|---|
| Category | Description |
| Earliest example in the archive | January 10, 1905, New Haven Union |
| Most common | 1890s to the 1940s |
Congenial was a favorite word for the kind of person who would be easy to be around. In 1905 a New Haven woman wanted to meet a congenial gentleman, and in 1944 a Washington attorney was looking for a congenial couple to share a lake cottage.
MIDDLE-AGED lady would like to meet congenial gentleman; object sociability. Mable Dodge, General Delivery, City.
YOUNG WOMAN ATTORNEY will share modern cottage, Lake Jackson, Va., with congenial couple, girls or service wife; furn. transp. D. C. daily; must love country; ref.;…
The modern equivalents are easygoing and good company.
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How this fits into 170 years of personal ad shorthand: From Object Matrimony to LTR: How Personal Ads Learned to Talk in Code.
All dictionary entries · The Personals Archive · How to write a personal ad
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