The term 'in-person-only' is a modern English phrase combining 'in-person,' which refers to physical presence, and 'only,' indicating exclusivity.

The phrase 'in-person' evolved from the concept of 'in person,' which has been used since the 14th century to denote physical presence. The addition of 'only' is a more recent development to emphasize exclusivity.

Initially, 'in person' simply meant being physically present, but with the advent of digital communication, 'in-person-only' emerged to specify activities that cannot be done remotely.