A single encounter, with no plan to meet again.
| Type | Modern shorthand and terms |
|---|---|
| Category | Relationship intent |
| Stands for | One-night stand |
| Phrase dated | 1880 (theater sense), Merriam-Webster |
One-night stand began in 1880 as theater slang for a show that played a town for a single night, according to Merriam-Webster, and later took on its romantic meaning. We have not found a reliable date for the abbreviation ONS in personals.
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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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