xoxo
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From use of X/x to mean “kiss” and O/o to mean “hug”. Use of “X” to indicate a kiss attested since 1763,[1][2] preceded by medieval use of “X”, which was then kissed, by illiterates to indicate a signature.[3] Use of “O” is more recent, and presumably created by analogy (e.g., X/O in tic-tac-toe). Speculative theories on precise origins abound.
Noun
xoxo
- Abbreviation of hugs and kisses, usually placed at the end of a letter.
See also
References
- ^ OED: “X” 1763 Gilbert White Letter (1901) I. vii. 132, I am with many a xxxxxxx and many a Pater noster and Ave Maria, Gil. White.
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) chapter X, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
- ^ How Stuff Works: How Valentine's Day Works
Ewe
Adjective
xoxo
Adverb
xoxo
Mapudungun
Adjective
xoxo (using Raguileo Alphabet)
References
- Wixaleyiñ: Mapucezugun-wigkazugun pici hemvlcijka (Wixaleyiñ: Small Mapudungun-Spanish dictionary), Beretta, Marta; Cañumil, Dario; Cañumil, Tulio, 2008.