casting couch
noun1
Euphemistic The now illegal practice of soliciting sexual favors from a job applicant in exchange for employment, particularly in the entertainment industry.
- ...when a writing test at a radio station turned into the casting-couch routine. She was typing a piece of copy when she realized the station manager had locked the door and was caressing her shoulders.1978 June, Caryl Rivers, “Sexual Harassment: The executive's alternative to rape”, in Mother Jones Magazine, volume 3, number 5, page 22:
- What the term "casting couch" hints at is that roles or jobs are given in exchange for sexual favors.1982, Martin A. David, The dancer's audition book, page 111:
2 more examples
- casting couch: This refers to the alleged practice by some Hollywood producers and directors of furnishing an office with a couch, upon which would-be actresses perform special services in return for casting consideration...2005, Dave Knox, Strike the baby and kill the blonde: an insider's guide to film slang, page 45:
- It wasn’t sexual assault, Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers argue in his defense, just the casting couch, with benefits for everyone who took a seat.2020 January 29, Patricia Hurtado, “Weinstein Prosecutors Build Case That Casting Couch Was Trap”, in Bloomberg News:
2
Slang An actual couch or sofa used for this practice.
- There was a wide damask covered divan in a shadowy corner, like a casting couch.1940, Raymond Chandler, chapter 8, in Farewell, My Lovely: