When did the term "playdate" first come about?

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Have heard it over maybe the past 5 years?

We never really used it growing up, I'm 43. We used to go round friends after school... But I'm sure it was just us kids asking "can we go to Laura's after school?" From around 7/8?

Maybe we just never had organised meetings? We would generally play with neighbours kids in the street?

I've only heard it used with younger children where the parents arrange the meeting and generally stay with the children.

Once they're old enough to call for friends or initiate arrangements for themselves I've not heard that called playdates.

I first heard it when my youngest started school in 2014. I find it a bit of a cringey term; much prefer 'going to a friend's to play'.

Was used in the USA 24 years ago, guessing it was then imported

I think it’s a US borrowing, and that it’s not so much used in RL (you’re far more likely to say ‘Would X like to come over after school?’) than on here, where it’s convenient shorthand for ‘Having a child’s friend over to play at an age where this is still needing to be organised with the parents’.

I’m pretty certain I’ve never said ‘Would James like to come over for a play date?’ but have probably said ‘Sorry, after school playdates are difficult because we both work full time’.

I think its fairly harmless, a bit twee but it gets the meaning across. DD used to ask if she could have playdates with her friends in primary school 10 or so years ago. I think nowadays things have to be planned a bit more in advance to fit in around extra-curricular activities and parents work arrangements compared to when I was young so its less spontaneous.

hand up Lemme guess--Another opportunity to blame the Americans...?

Would say probably became common use here sometime around ?2008-2012

It's from the USA. Who's blaming? Simply stating facts isn't blame. But if someone feels sensitive, then I guess they may interpret facts as blame? 🤷‍♀️

It's going along time my eldest who is 14 I remember the first time he asked could he have a play date . I couldn't believe such an American term had made its way into Irish society. It really bugs me and I always felt stupid saying it. In fact I actually refuse to say it. It's called having a friend over to your house or playing with your friend. The term in my opinion can go in the bin along with gender reveals, baby showers and baby sprinkles. It all makes me cringe 🙈

These pesky Americans 😂. What's wrong with stating a fact? It's an American term.

Agree, it arrived from USA mid-2000's.

It's a bit cringy but useful shorthand for pre-arranged visits.

I heard it the first time when we moved to the US in 2003 .I nearly burst out laughing when I heard it.