Hugs and kisses
Hugs and Kisses also known as Love and Kisses is a term for a sequence of the letters X and O, e.g. XOXO, typically to express affection or good friendship at the end of a written letter, email or text message. [1] [2] [3] [4]
We can obviously see that x means hug because it is signifying the arms crossed whereas the o is kiss, because of the o action of the lips.
It is debatable which letter represents which act. Another interpretation assumes that X represents the four lips of a kiss and O the four arms of a hug. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary states that X is "used to represent a kiss, esp. in the subscription to a letter."[5] Another interpretation assumes X as the crossed arms of a hug and O as the puckered lips of a kiss,[citation needed] as the order is normally spoken "Hugs and Kisses" which would correspond to the order that the x's and o's are written. Also, it could be said that the X's are the arms crossing during a hug, and the O's are the circular shape that two people make when kissing. Additionally, there is another interpretation, based on the pronunciation of the letters X (sounds like 'kiss') and O (sounds like 'hold', as in 'I hold you').
[Note: The following paragraph seems to draw upon customs in a certain part of the (ancient) world for its interpretation of XOXO. It does not, however, state this explicitly.]
The use of XOXO goes back to the use of an X or cross, which was considered as good as a sworn oath in times before most people could write and therefore used the X in the same way a signature is used today — a mark of one's word. An X at the end of a letter or document was often kissed as a seal of honesty, in much the same way one would kiss a Bible or kiss the fingers after making the sign of the Christian cross. Thus the X came to represent a kiss in modern times.[citation needed]
The origins of the O as a hug are not generally known, although it is speculated that it may represent the arms wrapped around someone being hugged.
In popular culture
 | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (June 2008) |
- Elliott Smith utilized XO on his album XO
- Australian Designer modernizes Love & Kisses as XOXO in a symbol of unity with XOXO designed as two figures interlocking from an overhead perspective.
- At the end of teen group Aly and AJ's music video for "Potential Breakup Song", the screens reads "XOXO, Aly & AJ".
- In The Deposition, an episode from the US version of The Office Michael's diary is read, and he signs XOXO
- In Trisha Yearwood's 1995 single "XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl)" she sang about a young young woman who used to "sign her letters with X's and O's."
- The Swedish rapist Hagamannen used "XOXO" as his personal signature.
- In Christina Aguilera's single from 2007, Candyman, Aguilera signs off with "Xoxo, Candy" at the end of the video.
- In the video to pop-singer Gavin DeGraw's single from 2008, In Love with a Girl, DeGraw holds up a cellphone which shows the text "I'm here! XOXO."
- Fall Out Boy titled a song, the last song from the album From Under the Cork Tree, "XO." When asked why the title had nothing to do with the song, Pete Wentz replied sarcastically, "Oh yeah, because that song has nothing to do with hugs and kisses."
- In Gossip Girl, the gossip girl ends her monologue at the end of an episode with, "you know you love me. xoxo gossip girl."
Notes
- ^ "Oxford English Dictionary - X". Oxford University press. 1999. Retrieved 2007-02-01.
- ^ "ask.yahoo.com".
- ^ "www.hugkiss.com/valentine/xoxo.shtml".
- ^ "www.acronymfinder.com".
- ^ "Oxford English Dictionary - X". Oxford University press. 1999. Retrieved 2007-02-01.