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Look up xoxo in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
Hugs and kisses or xoxo is a term used for expressing affection or good friendship at the end of a written letter, email or SMS text message. The common custom of placing X's on envelopes, notes and at the bottom of letters to mean kisses dates back to the Medieval Ages, when a cross was drawn on documents or letters to mean sincerity and honesty. A kiss was then placed upon the cross, by the signer as a display of their sworn oath. It was also used in early Christian history as much of a display of the same. Since most of the common people were unable to read or write, the 'X' was placed on documents, and a kiss placed upon it as a show of their sincerity,[1] gradually, as it was used so often, the cross was hurriedly drawn and often resembled an 'X'.
The 'O' is of North American descent, no one really seems to know how it was started. It has been said[vague] that when arriving to the US, Jewish immigrants would use an 'O' on documents, not using the sign of the cross, and shop keepers would often use an 'O' when signing documents, in place of an 'X'.[citation needed] Perhaps now it is used as the 'O' being rounded represents arms encircling another, as in an embrace.'X' is used to signify a kiss and 'O' is used to signify a hug.[2][3] The use of 'X' to signify a kiss dates back to as early as 1765.[2][4]
[edit] Example from history
One unambiguous example where x is used to represent "kiss" comes from a tragic event in 1905. A seaman aboard the doomed SS Kaliyuga managed to write this final message, where one x is used for each of the family members mentioned:
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- "Dear Father: Good-bye. I have a bank book in the Cleveland Society of Savings. Good-bye mother, dear sister and brother. xxxx A kiss for all."[5]
This note was found on the body of oiler Charles Beaugrand[6]:p.25 which washed ashore several days after his ship sank during a late October storm on Lake Huron.
References [link]
- ^ "Why Does X Stand for a Kiss?". Trivia-Library.com. https://www.trivia-library.com/a/why-does-x-stand-for-a-kiss.htm.
- ^ a b "X". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University press. 2011. https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/230945.
- ^ "XOXO where did x and o come from?". Hugkiss.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110712230707/https://www.hugkiss.com/valentine/xoxo.shtml.
- ^ "X". Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=X.
- ^ Windsor Evening Record, Monday October 30, 1905 , pg 1
- ^ Registrations of Deaths, 1869-1938. Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. MS 935, reel 119, Bruce Co, 1905
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XOXO (brand)
XOXO is an American contemporary clothing brand, owned by Kellwood Company. XOXO is targeted towards young females, mainly teenagers. It was started by Gregg and Lynne Fiene in 1991 along with their partners, Marc and Michelle Bohbot. The brand includes apparel and accessories, including handbags, sunglasses, belts, and jewelry. The partners sold the company to Aris Industries in 1999, who sold it to Global Brand Holdings in 2003. Rights to the brand were later licensed to Kellwood.
References
External links
XOXO
XOXO may refer to:
Music
See also
Podcasts:
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by A Decade To Die For
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by Xoxo
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by Nickasaur!
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by Majority Rule
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by Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!
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by Rangers
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by Park Hwayobi
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by Cherub
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by Peter Andre
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by Sara Tunes
XOXO
by: A Decade To Die ForIf I told you you're body was bangin'
would you hold it against me?
I want you I want you
Something awful
I'll trace your curves with my fingers
and fallow your fault lines
I want you need you
Beneath me oh Beneath me
and if I told you you're body was bangin'
would you hold it against me?
I want you I want you
Something awful