Meaning of “Date Rape” Origin of Phrase with examples.

Date Rape

Meaning

Rape by an acquaintance during a social engagement.

Origin

This term is of American origin. The Chronicle Telegram, November 1980 had an article about the subject entitled “Date-rape’ theory: Watch out for your friends”, which included:

“Date rape in fact was the catchy name a women’s magazine recently seized upon to characterize the problem.”

They didn’t name the magazine and I’ve not been able to locate it, but it is unlikely to date from long before 1980.

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