A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
An offer to trade references, people who could vouch for the writer, the way a job applicant would.
| Type | Historical language |
|---|---|
| Category | Formula |
| Earliest example in the archive | May 22, 1910, Rocky Mountain News (Denver) |
| Most common | 1890s to the 1920s |
Answering a stranger’s ad was a risk, and references were one way to lower it. In May 1910, a Denver businessman of 35, worth $35,000 by his own account, closed his ad with “references exchanged.” Others simply offered theirs: Mr. Rollins of the Adams Hotel in Phoenix promised the “highest references” in 1917, and a bachelor of 45 the “best of references” in 1921.
BUSINESS MAN 35, WORTH $35,000, lonely, in Denver for short time, would meet refined maid or widow with means, matrimonially inclined; references exchanged. J-101,…
WANTED—To meet lady between 30 to 50 yrs.; must be jolly and good entertainer. Object matrimony. Address Mr. Rollins, Adams hotel. Highest references. bn
REFINED, healthy bachelor, 45, best of references, wish to correspond with healthy lady, 30 to 40. Catholic preferred. Box 38-T Republican. dl
The nearest modern equivalent is a verified profile, or a mutual friend who can vouch for someone.
Know a term we are missing? Suggest one.
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
The form is still open. Say who you are, what you want, and who it is for, and choose exactly who can see it. Free on iOS and Android.