pickup

Definition

pickup rate

(Adult / Slang)

1. A woman regarded as easily accessible and sexually obliging. Rosalie Maggio in The Dictionary of Bias-Free Usage (1991): ' Never use this; it not only says that the woman is passive (she is "picked up") but it also implies (by giving her, but not her partner, a special derogaotry label) that she is the guilty party. We pay lip service to the two-to-tango notion, but our language says that a man's actions are literally unremarkable while the woman's actions deserve a judgement.' See playgirl for synonyms.

2. A prostitute. See prostitute for synonyms.

3. To make the casual acquaintance of someone, usually in anticipation of sexual relations.

QUOTE: Kathleen Turner disquised as an ugly bag-woman in Undercover Blues (1993): ' You know, I don't understand men. Three guys tried to pick me up tonight.'

4. A person with whom such an acquaintance is made.

QUOTE: Donald Gresham (William Holden) and Patty O'Neil (Maggie McNamara) in The Moon is Blue (1953): Don: ' You are the strangest girl...' Patty: ' You don't know me, you picked me up.'

5. In gay terminology, a short-time sex partner, especially one willing to pay.