Dear Alice,
This is kind of embarrassing, but the other day, my friends were talking about sex and their boyfriends and everything. Well, one of them mentioned "putting out." I've heard the term before, but what does it actually mean?
Dear Reader,
There is no need to be embarrassed... People use so many colloquialisms and slang terms that it would be difficult to keep up with all of them.
Traditionally, "putting out" has been used as a derogatory term directed at women who offer or readily agree to have sexual intercourse. In other words, it implies that someone is easy or available.
These days, "putting out" has a broader definition. It is still an offensive term used to describe someone who is thought to be promiscuous, although it can now be directed at both men and women. Nowadays, since expectations about sexual behavior can vary among different age groups (preteens, teens, and adults), "putting out" can be used to describe someone who "makes out," "fools around," or has sex.
The next time one of your friends uses the phrase "putting out," ask what it means to her or him. This way you will know what it stands for in the context of your conversations.
If you're curious about the meanings of other colloquialisms or slang in the future, dictionaries of slang terms are available at many public libraries and bookstores.
- Alice
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What does ''putting out'' mean?
