Oldest profession
Meaning
A common euphemism for prostitution.
Origin
While the act of exchanging sexual services for payment undoubtedly predates recorded history, the popular phrase "the oldest profession" gained widespread recognition through Rudyard Kipling. In his 1888 short story "On the City Wall," he refers to a courtesan as belonging to "the most ancient of professions," a phrase that resonated deeply with readers. Kipling's vivid prose encapsulated the enduring and often stigmatized nature of prostitution, cementing this evocative euphemism in the English lexicon as a concise way to refer to the enduring practice.
Examples
- Throughout history, societies have wrestled with how to regulate what is often called the oldest profession.
- Despite its controversial nature, many consider the oldest profession a complex social phenomenon that has persisted across cultures.