Definition of outing

The word "outing" has a fascinating history. In the 1830s, the term "outing" emerged in England as a sports jargon to describe a fashionable gathering of gentlemen and ladies to participate in outdoor activities such as hunting, shooting, or fishing. The word "outing" was derived from "outing oneself," meaning to go out in public for leisure or entertainment. Over time, the term took on a new connotation. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the "outing movement" organized recreational activities for marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, the elderly, and others who were excluded from traditional social and cultural events. The goal was to provide these individuals with opportunities to socialize and have fun. In 1913, the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society officially adopted "outing" as a term to describe trips or excursions for people with intellectual or physical disabilities, further cementing its connection to accessibility and inclusivity.