XO-gate: does X mean kiss or hug? Ditto re O?

[gbbi_977]

My DH and I have had an ongoing disagreement about XOXO.

I, like all sensible people, believe X stands for kiss and O stands for hug. He is adamant I'm wrong, and that it's the other way around.

Any authoritative sources I can knock his arguments down with, other than just common sense?

[nereo]

i'm with you on this one.  I was told once that the "x" was two lips coming together (like two a ">" and an "<" coming together), and the "O" was wrapping your arms around each other (circular). 

[wordnerd]

You are correct.^1,2,3

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugs_and_kisses
2. http://mentalfloss.com/article/31929/why-does-xoxo-mean-kisses-and-hugs
3. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=X%27s+and+O%27s

Note: none of the sources are necessarily "authoritative," but what's your husband's argument here? Burden of proof is on the nonsensical party.

[gbbi_977]

I am going to inform my DH that the burden of proof is on the nonsensical party, I like that. Thanks. Of course, he thinks I'm being nonsensical.

And from the comments section of the Mental Floss article, none other than Frank Arietta agrees with him: "X = hug, (make an X with your arms like a hug or greeting from an oompa loompa) O = kiss (make an O with your lips... like giving a kiss...) I always knew that is was hugs and kisses, not kisses and hugs. What's written above is just nonsense. Religious history? Really, guys?"

So I might need to print that article out but not show him the comments section, in order to put this to bed.

And Frank sums up DH's arguments - according to him, it's self-evident that O = kiss, because when you kiss your lips form an O, and X = hug, because when you put your arms out for a hug, you make a giant X.

To which I say, putting your arms out as wide as you can certainly looks like a giant X, but to me is actually an anti-hug posture.

[wordnerd]

Interesting. I suppose I can see that, but I think the argument shows poor understanding of proper kissing and hugging form. Just kidding ;)

[okits]

X = kiss
O = hug

That's why some romantic correspondence is signed with "XXX".  (They're kisses, not a porno reference.)

[nereo]

X = kiss
O = hug

That's why some romantic correspondence is signed with "XXX".  (They're kisses, not a porno reference.)

maybe they just really want to cuddle?

[marty998]

X = kiss
O = hug

That's why some romantic correspondence is signed with "XXX".  (They're kisses, not a porno reference.)

maybe they just really want to cuddle?

then you have the xxxxx european version where they keep going back and forth between cheeks and don't know when to stop.... never understood why one peck on the right cheek wasn't enough.

I always write "xo". You kiss then you hug

Hmmm LOL wonder why I've never seen "ox"

Oh...

[Quinn]

completely random sidenote, it took me forever (years) to realise that <3 is a heart on its side. I always thought it was some frowny face with a mustache.

[okits]

completely random sidenote, it took me forever (years) to realise that <3 is a heart on its side. I always thought it was some frowny face with a mustache.

Tilt your head to the left, and it kind of looks like disembodied cleavage (or a bum!)

[wordnerd]

completely random sidenote, it took me forever (years) to realise that <3 is a heart on its side. I always thought it was some frowny face with a mustache.

Tilt your head to the left, and it kind of looks like disembodied cleavage (or a bum!)

Disembodied cleavage is an amazing turn of phrase--at once lovely and disturbing. Some lurker should definitely adopt it as their handle.

[Dicey]

And from the comments section of the Mental Floss article, none other than Frank Arietta agrees with him: "X = hug, (make an X with your arms like a hug or greeting from an oompa loompa) O = kiss (make an O with your lips... like giving a kiss...) I always knew that is was hugs and kisses, not kisses and hugs. What's written above is just nonsense. Religious history? Really, guys?"

And Frank sums up DH's arguments - according to him, it's self-evident that O = kiss, because when you kiss your lips form an O, and X = hug, because when you put your arms out for a hug, you make a giant X.

To which I say, putting your arms out as wide as you can certainly looks like a giant X, but to me is actually an anti-hug posture.

Yes, yes and yes! But since they brought up religion, I'll share this odd and somewhat irrelevant  factoid. In denominations where communion is part of the service, anyone who does not wish to partake is invited to come forward to receive a blessing. To indicate that this is their preference, they are asked to cross their arms over their chest. Naturally, this looks like an X. Bless me, but don't hug me, padre. So X can mean kiss, or no communion. It can never mean hug. That is all.

[BlueHouse]

I seem to recall some old cartoons where kisses were accompanied by a large X on screen. Anybody else? 

[Dicey]

Good one, Basenji. I actually laughed out loud. I hope you've laminated that gem.

[forummm]

And the award for best citation presentation on the forum goes to...

You are correct.^1,2,3

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugs_and_kisses
2. http://mentalfloss.com/article/31929/why-does-xoxo-mean-kisses-and-hugs
3. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=X%27s+and+O%27s

Note: none of the sources are necessarily "authoritative," but what's your husband's argument here? Burden of proof is on the nonsensical party.

[RidinTheAsama]

And from the comments section of the Mental Floss article, none other than Frank Arietta agrees with him: "X = hug, (make an X with your arms like a hug or greeting from an oompa loompa) O = kiss (make an O with your lips... like giving a kiss...) I always knew that is was hugs and kisses, not kisses and hugs. What's written above is just nonsense. Religious history? Really, guys?"

Have to agree with your DH and Frank on this one.  I was about to write out pretty much the exact reasoning that Frank gave... minus the oompa loompa reference... haha

Even wikipedia calls it "Hugs and kisses" in that order.

[BlueMR2]

completely random sidenote, it took me forever (years) to realise that <3 is a heart on its side. I always thought it was some frowny face with a mustache.

As a programmer it took me forever to figure out too.  I kept wondering why people were putting "less than three" in their signatures...

[SingleMomDebt]

Of course, verbally one commonly says, "Hugs and Kisses". Could this be the reason for confusion w DH?