A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
Not rich: comfortable enough, but no fortune.
| Type | Historical language |
|---|---|
| Category | Description |
| Earliest example in the archive | March 18, 1914, Honolulu Star-Bulletin |
| Most common | 1880s to the 1910s |
Most men in the personal columns advertised their means. In moderate circumstances was a rare and honest admission, used by a Honolulu man of 40 in 1914.
A gentleman of 40 in moderate circumstances, wishes to get acquainted with lady, object matrimony. No trifler need apply. Address J. A. P., this office.
The modern equivalent would be the opposite of FS: honest about money.
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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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