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Is there any logical explanation for how the phrase making out came together?

I know that it has sexual implications (at least kissing, with the intent go further), I just can't imagine its ancestry.

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1 Answer

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Make out has been used with a sexual meaning since 1939.

The third edition of the NOAD reports the meaning of make out is, informally, "engage in sexual activity", "make progress", and "fare".

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It's actually slightly more specific than that nowadays. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_out – Jon Purdy Mar 7 '11 at 23:31
As an 11k user I'm quite sure you know this, but my inner pedant would like to point out that on 1939 is incorrect. It would be clearer to say It was first used with this meaning in 1939. – John Bartholomew Mar 7 '11 at 23:44
I guess that means a fully logical explanation of the phrase does not really exist. Too bad. – Tomalak Mar 10 '11 at 8:41
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@Tomalek: If you don't get an answer to your question, you don't have to click 'accept' on whatever exists; you can wait until you get one. :-) – ShreevatsaR Mar 10 '11 at 10:00
@ShreevatsaR: I know pretty well how these sites work. :) However, I had a feeling that it would not get much better than this. Some phrases just cannot be fully explained. – Tomalak Mar 10 '11 at 22:13

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