Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: courting

An acquaintance card dating to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. If you look closely, you'll see that the printer mistakenly used a "u" instead of an "n" to spell "and." I had to read through the text a couple of times before I even noticed the error. Confidential Miss: If you desire to form my acquaintance, please state time and place on blank space.

"What time is it down there?" "Just eleven." "It's twelve up here—you know eleven and twelve make 23." Handwritten: "Did this ever occur to you?" So what does the mother mean by yelling "eleven and twelve make 23" down at the couple hanging out on the hammock in the front yard at midnight? To understand the humor of this postcard from 1909, it helps to know that a fad about the meaning of the number "23" became wildly popular in the United States in the early twentieth century. Beginning around 1906 or 1907, "23"—along with "23 skidoo"—came to be used as a shorthand way of telling someone to "scram," "beat it," or "get lost," usually with a humorous or joking connotation. Referring to "23" in unexpected ways—as on this postcard or on a valentine —and even placing "23" in surprising places (like on the front of a painted automobile prop in a novelty photo) was a humorous way to let others in on the joke. So it's obvious that mom is keeping tabs on her daughter as she watches the couple from the second-floor window. And her reference to "23" makes it clear (to those in the know, at least) that she wants the guy to skedaddle. Postmark, address, and handwritten note on the other side of this postcard: Omaha & Ogden R.P.O. [ railway post office ], Apr 1, 1909. Miss Hazle Hainline, Grand Island, Neb., 222 W. 6th St. Hello Girlie, wish I could have had the pleasure to set and hear you sing and play tonight. How is mama and dad. Tonight is the first I have eaten since I left your place. Haven't been hungry. Mora. 113 Pub. by Keller Bros., Portland, Or.

The notion that men and women could use handkerchiefs to secretly signal their romantic intentions may seem far-fetched, but that's the idea behind this "Handkerchief Flirtation" list. In fact, using hankies to flirt seems downright dangerous. You might accidentally drop your handkerchief on the floor and end up telling the wrong person, "We will be friends." Or even worse, you could draw your handkerchief across your cheek as you blow your nose, inadvertently saying, "I love you." Despite the potential for miscommunication, flirtation lists like this circulated widely in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In addition to handkerchiefs, you could supposedly also use flowers, gloves, parasols, hats, cigars, pencils, and even buggy whips and handheld fans for covert courtship. For further discussion of these secret flirting methods, see the following: Esti Brenna, From the Stacks: Victorian Courtship and the Language of the Fan , Clements Library Chronicles, June 6, 2012. "Unfortunately, the fan language--and other, similar codes like the language of the handkerchief and the language of the parasol--were largely the result of advertising campaigns meant to popularize and sell accessories. There is little evidence that the fan language was ever in widespread use, though the concept was satirized by several writers in the 18th and 19th centuries." Natasha Frost, The Victorian Cards That Explained How to Use a Book to Flirt , Atlas Obscura, March 23, 2018. A "Book Flirtation" card and other alleged flirting techniques. (Full disclosure: I'm quoted in this article, and it includes some of my calling and acquaintance cards .) Handkerchief Flirtation Drawing across the lips—Desirous of an acquaintance. Drawing across the eyes—I am sorry. Taking it by the centre—You are too willing. Dropping—We will be friends. Twisting in both hands—Indifference. Drawing across cheek—I love you. Drawing through hand—I hate you. Letting it rest on right eye—Yes. Letting it rest on left cheek—No. Twisting in the left hand—I wish to be rid of you. Twisting in the right hand—I love another. Folding it—I wish to speak with you. Over the shoulder—Follow me. Opposite corners in both hands—Wait for me. Drawing across the forehead—We are watched. Placing on the right ear—You have changed. Letting it remain on the eyes—You are cruel. Winding around forefinger—I am engaged. Winding around third finger—I am married. Putting it in the pocket—No more at present.

Flirtation lists like the ones printed on this card also circulated in books, newspapers, and other media in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These lists suggested that common objects like buggy whips and handheld fans could be used by men and women to secretly signal their romantic intentions, but the coded gestures really seem too complicated for easy communication. Flowers, handkerchiefs, gloves, parasols, hats, cigars, and pencils were other items allegedly employed for covert courting. For more on flirtation cards and acquaintance cards , see " When 'Flirtation Cards' Were All The Rage ," an article by Linton Weeks on the NPR History Dept. blog. See The Ghost Card, or the Skeleton on the Wall (below) for the other side of this card. Whip Flirtation Holding stock in left hand and lash in right—Desirous of an acquaintance. Holding the same, and placing center against the waist—I am sorry. Holding in left hand by center—Will you bathe with me? Lash in right hand, stock down—I love you. Same in left hand—I hate you. Taking in both hands by center—I love another. In center, hands crossed—We are watched. Right hand in center, left on lash—Yes. Left hand in center, right on lash—No. Butt against right eye—I am engaged. Against the left eye—I am married. Holding it with the left hand against the right shoulder—Follow me. In right hand against left shoulder—Wait for me. End in each hand, center bent down—You are cruel. Same, with center up—You are too willing. Winding lash around forefinger—Repeat your last signal. Fan Flirtation Carrying in right hand in front of face—Follow me. Carrying in left hand in front of face—I wish to be acquainted. Placing on right ear—You have changed. Twirling in left hand—I wish to get rid of you. Drawing across the forehead—We are watched. Carrying in right hand—You are too willing. Twirling in right hand—I love another. Closing—I wish to speak to you. Drawing across eyes—I am sorry. Resting on right cheek—Yes. Resting on left cheek—No. Open and shut—You are cruel. Dropping—We will be friends. Fanning slowly—I am married. Fanning quickly—I am engaged. Handle to lips—kiss me. Shut—you have changed. Open wide—Wait for me. Drawing through hand—I hate you. Drawing across cheek—I love you.