Where did the expression "asking for a friend" come from?

I think it's just the first dumb thing that comes to people's minds when they try to hide something about themselves.

Asks a really awkward Q about my spontaneous erections…

… asking for a friend.

I've heard it floating around since I was young. It was pretty much always associated with the assumption that the 'friend' was a slightly unsophisticated cover for themselves. In counselling in the past people would do this with me - not necessarily using the exact words. They, often younger people, would talk about a friend that needed help. When they realised I was safe, they would admit it was them.

Probably someone from here who didn't want to admit their fetish, but still wanted to know how common it was somehow.

I believe it was started by some guy trying to fix his motorcycle. Some time in the mid 90s

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