When did the word single change meanings?

Question

Single used to mean you were not married...whether you had a significant other, bf/gf, etc...you were single.
Now, people say "single" to mean available/mateless.
When did it change?

Answer 1

I believe it is a cultural type thing. The word single is still used in both ways. You just have to figure out the context the person is using it in. Due to online dating sites, most people see "single" as available. This is because these sites use "single" as a status, along with "divorced", "married" or "in a relationship".

Answer 2

I suspect it was when marriage went out of style for a lot of people, which would be in the 1970s and 1980s. After Marvin v. Marvin, when people found out that common law marriage was not recognized in many states, they needed a new way to designate their relationship.

Personally, I still think it's not fair to refer to yourself as single if you are living with a "significant other." If someone asks whether you are single, I would suggest you say, "not really." Then you get a chance to explain.

Basically, they are trying to find out whether or not you are available, so they don't go getting serious about someone who is not. Play fair, folks; it's to your advantage in the long run.

Answer 3

Of your examples, "text" is the only one that has changed in the last ten years. You could surf the web in the 90's. "Thread" was a common term on Usenet and on mailing lists in the 80's and 90's. You could shoot someone an email in the 80's and 90's. (I first used email in the late 1980's, but it was around before then.) I guess it depends on how much of a "bit" before ten years ago you're willing to accept. One non-technology word I can think of as an example is "waif", which has only had its modern meaning of a very thin woman for a little less than twenty years. That's still more than ten years, but it's no newer than some of your other examples.

Answer 4

Legally is hasn't changed.

Vernacularly it has changed between the time I was a teen and the time my son is (now). Personally - I think it is a bit ridiculous for a 14-year-old to not be considered "single".

Answer 5

When the phrases "In a relationship", "Domestic Partnership", etc was added to most forms at places such as the hospital, DMV, Tax Returns, Health Questionnaires, etc. I've used all terms except Domestic Partnership.

Answer 6

Single means one. SO, when referring to a person, it does mean without a mate.
I think these days people are so bold to assume that if you're single youre "available"...just so they can pry into your life and "help out" by hooking you up with someone.

Answer 7

Common sense and as a courtesy maybe. It's misleading (dishonest) to say your are single when in fact you are part of a couple. What some chics won't do for free drinks...you make the rest of us look bad ! ( you know who you are)

Answer 8

On January,8,1997 at 4:16 pm Eastern standard time.

Answer 9

27/4/1992

Answer 10

I couldn't agree more. Even married people say "I'm single" when someone asks their status.