Английский Этимологический словарь - sex (n.)

- c.1380, used of either males or females collectively, from L. sexus "state of being either male or female, gender," perhaps related to secare "to divide or cut." Meaning "quality of being male or female" first recorded 1526. Meaning "sexual intercourse" first attested 1929 (in writings of D.H. Lawrence); sexy first recorded 1925, originally "engrossed in sex;" sense of "sexually attractive" is 1932. Sex appeal first recorded 1924; sex drive is from 1918; sex object and sex symbol both first attested 1911. Sexpot is from 1954. Sexist is from 1965. Sexpert "sex therapist" is from 1924.