Letter: Who first coined 'date rape'?

Sunday 07 November 1993 00:02 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

DR MARY KOSS ('Date rape: I gave it the name') states that 'the term was first used in Ms magazine in 1987'. It is always dangerous to claim a coinage] In fact, the first record of date rape in the files of the Oxford English Dictionary comes from the American magazine Mademoiselle in November 1980: 'He could be prosecuted if only the legal system would accept that 'date rape' is possible.' Sorry.

John Simpson

Co-Editor

Oxford English Dictionary

Oxford

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

Letter: Who first coined 'date rape'?

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering