A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
A request, usually in a missed connection, asking the other person to agree to meet: will the lady grant acquaintance?
| Type | Historical phrase |
|---|---|
| Earliest example in the archive | March 10, 1878, Chicago Daily Tribune |
| Most common | 1870s to the 1900s |
Missed connections were written as questions, and grant acquaintance or grant interview framed the meeting as something only the other person could allow. It put the decision in her hands, at least on paper.
PERSONAL—INDIANA-AV. CAR TO TWENTY-third-st., 5:30 p. m. yesterday: will "Bouquet" (second occasion) grant acquaintance? Address "Opposite," Z 55, Tribune office.
FARNAM car, between 3 and 4 Sunday; will good-looking young woman dressed in black grant interview to tall gentleman who sat opposite?
All dictionary entries · The Personals Archive · How to write a personal ad
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