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November 4, 2011

Strange But True!

Q. Are you online romancers wise to the minefield posed by the nomenclature of courting?

A. Based on his study of personal ads, psychologist David Buss concluded that the term “eligible” (as in “eligible bachelor”) commonly used by women to describe the type of man they're looking for is really a euphemism for a high-status man, says Ralph Keyes in “Euphemania: Our Love Affair with Euphemisms.” “Professional” is also used by women to indicate they're interested in white collar and presumably well-paid mates. “Older man” can also be a euphemism for “financially secure,” or “wealthy.” “In transition,” on the other hand, probably means “unemployed.”


 
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