It's interesting that Elise Thorburn is a sociology prof but she takes a historical perspective, not a sociological one.  For sure, an English Lit prof would say to analyze the song taking into consideration the norms of the time. But  Sociology prof should be taking into consideration the world we live in now - in the west - where women are not only in competition with men for good jobs and great careers but with other women, too.  

That kind of language, even then, would be normal because while flirting with the man, the woman might well be finding out what he has to offer - about his parents, his potential, education, community status, etc. Thorburn looks at this situation from the individuals' personal perspective only, as a woman being coy, and the man doing what men do (am I allowed to say that still?).

Female sexual desire is not the same as men's.  He would be happy going to a bar and finding someone to u-know-what.  A woman was - and still is - more selective about a mate.