Kiss

Kissing is a common human behavior that involves the act of pressing one's lips against another person or an object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sexual attraction, sexual activity, sexual arousal, affection, respect, greeting, friendship, peace, and good luck, among many others. In some situations, a kiss is a ritual, formal or symbolic gesture indicating devotion, respect, or sacrament.

Etymology

The word comes from Old English cyssan (“to kiss”), in turn from coss (“a kiss”).

History

Anthropologists are divided into two schools on the origins of kissing, one believing that it is instinctual and intuitive, having evolved from activities like suckling, others suggesting it evolved from checking the health of a potential mate via inspecting their saliva.

Science

Kissing on the lips can result in the exchange of saliva and other substances from the other person's mouth. The oral microbiota, which is rich in a variety of species, can potentially be exchanged during kissing. This exchange tends to increase the likelihood of the individuals within the couple developing the same microbiota in their oral cavity.

Cultural variations

Kissing in different cultures is varied. While in some cultures, such as those of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, kissing on the lips is not common, in others it is a common form of greeting among friends and family.

In popular culture

Kissing has been a staple of many forms of media since the invention of popular media. It is often used as a show of affection in romantic and family contexts.

See also

• French kiss
• Cheek kissing
• Air kiss
• Eskimo kissing
• Butterfly kiss
• Hickey

References

Kiss Resources
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