# Derivation of the slang phrase "Making-Out"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derivation-of-the-slang-phrase-making-out/274959>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 16, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derivation-of-the-slang-phrase-making-out/274959 "2004-11-16T00:08:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dreante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Dreante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreante)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derivation-of-the-slang-phrase-making-out/274959/1 "2004-11-16T00:08:06Z")

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Just that really,

anyone know where it comes from?

Cheers in advance.

CD

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derivation-of-the-slang-phrase-making-out/274959/2 "2004-11-16T00:33:55Z")

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It first appears in print in English around 1949-51. No doubt it goes back to WWII.

It is a logical sequence to the phrase -“how did you make out?” You can also throw in describing a woman as an "easy make(1942), "on the make(1929-looking for sexual activity), and many other uses of "make.’