XO

Kiss and Hug

Ever wondered what ‘XO’ means in text messages or greeting cards? This short and sweet slang term represents kisses and hugs. The ‘X’ stands for ‘kisses’, and ‘O’ stands for ‘hugs’. You can use it to add warmth and affection to your messages. For instance, you might sign off a birthday card to your friend with “XO, Your buddy!” or text your husband on a business trip saying, “Miss you loads. XO!”

But where did ‘XO’ come from? There’s a rich history behind it. Most people believe that ‘X’ comes from the Middle Ages. Back then, folks would use ‘X’ to sign important papers and then seal it with a kiss. The letter was like a cross, a sign of goodwill in Christianity.

Another theory suggests that Jewish immigrants used ‘O’ to sign their names because their religious beliefs were different from Christians. Some also point out that ‘X’ looks like two people kissing, and ‘O’ looks like two people hugging each other. However, it’s not clear exactly when and how ‘X’ and ‘O’ started to get used together to mean kisses and hugs.

Whatever the origin, ‘XO’ is a simple and sweet way to add a touch of warmth to your messages. So next time you want to send some love, remember to use ‘XO’!

Example for using ‘XO’ in a conversation

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