Dictionary.com:
7. a social appointment, engagement, or occasion arranged beforehand with another person: to go out on a date on Saturday night.
Merriam-Webster.com:
4 a : an appointment to meet at a specified time; especially : a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character b : a person with whom one has a usually romantic date
I was on a date this past weekend. We went out for lunch & spent the afternoon at the museum.
Personally, I use the word “date” fairly loosely. To me, dates are pre-set appointments/engagements as noted by both Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster.com. No big deal. Whatever. I have lunch/dinner/coffee dates with friends/family/my counselor at school. Whatever. I realize Webster has it noted that the word “date” is especially used as “a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character.” However, also note that it is initially defined as “an appointment to meet at a specified time.”
I have two friends who feel otherwise though. One of which who feels that lunch doesn’t make a date; and another who feels that as long as the other party pays for you, it constitutes as a ‘date’ in the romantic sense.
Me? It’s a date – but one without any romantic connotations tied to it.
How about you?
Intriguing topic…I’ve thought about this before too.
Perhaps, a date with romantic character should be distinguished as “Date” with a big-d. The romantic sentiment MUST be mutually felt though…otherwise – well, it’s still a “date”.
And too often, it’s just a “date”. Too bad.
Great post, Miss J!