French Words for Kisses

French Words for Kisses French has a number of different words for kiss, which, though not surprising for such a romantic language, can be confusing for French learners. The most common terms are bise and bisou, and while they are both informal with similar meanings and uses, theyre not exactly the same. Une bise is a kiss on the cheek, a gesture of friendship exchanged while saying hello and good-bye. Its not romantic, so it can be used between friends and acquaintances of any gender combination, particularly two women and a woman and man. Two men are likely to say/write it only if they are family or very close friends. Bise is most commonly found in the expression faire la bise. In the plural, bises is used when saying good-bye (e.g., Au revoir et bises tous) and at the end of a personal letter: Bises, Grosses bises, Bises ensoleillà ©es (from a friend in a sunny place), etc. Again, bises is platonic. It does not mean that the letter writer is trying to take your relationship to the next level; its basically shorthand for saying good-bye with the classic French cheek/air kiss: je te fais la bise. Familiar spelling variation: biz Un bisou is a warmer, more playful, and more familiar version of bise. It can refer to a kiss on the cheek or on the lips, so may be used when talking to lovers and platonic friends. Bisous can say good-bye to a good friend (A demain! Bisous toute la famille) as well at the end of a letter: Bisous, Gros bisous, Bisous aux enfants, etc. When saying good-bye on the phone, friends sometimes repeat it several times: Bisous, bisous, bisous! Bisous, tchao, bisous! Familiar abbreviation: bx More French Kisses Nouns un baiser - kissun bà ©cot (informal) - kiss, peckun patin (informal) - French kiss, kiss with tonguesune pelle (informal) - French kissun smack - noisy kiss Verbs bà ©coter (informal) - to kiss, smoochbiser - to kissdonner un baiser - to kissembrasser - to kissenvoyer un baiser - to blow a kissenvoyer un smack - to give a noisy kissfaire une bise/un bisou - to kiss (usually on the cheek)rouler un patin - to French kissrouler une pelle - to French kisssucer la poire/pomme - to kiss passionately, neck Warning: As a noun its perfectly acceptable, and its ok to say baiser la main, but otherwise, do not use baiser as a verb! Though it originally meant to kiss, it is now an informal way to say to have sex. Other Kisses le bouchebouche - kiss of lifele coup fatal - kiss of deathdivulguer des secrets dalcà ´ve - to kiss and tellfaire de la là ¨che (familiar) - to kiss upfaire la paix - to kiss and make upfaire un croix dessus (informal) - to kiss something good-byeplaquer - to give a boyfriend/girlfriend the kiss-offraconter ses secrets dalcà ´ve - to kiss and tellvirer - to give an employee the kiss-off

Medieval Gift Ideas

Medieval Gift Ideas Guide note: This feature was originally posted in December of 1997, and was updated in December of 2010. If youre looking for that special gift for a medieval history buff or if you like medieval history and you want to share it with your friends perhaps this page can help. Below are a few gift ideas that can bring a little medieval charm to todays holiday season. Gift projects are reasonable in cost, and if you start soon you can have them finished by December 24th. Or, take a lesson from medieval times and give your gifts on Twelfth Night January 6th. The Artistic Touch Do you enjoy crafts-work? Are you good with a needle? Then perhaps youd like to make a gift for that special someone. Candles Candle-making was an ability that many medieval men and women were likely to know. If you know how to make candles or would like to try your hand at this rewarding craft, you may wish to stick to beeswax (instead of paraffin, which wasnt used until the 19th century, or tallow, which is difficult to work with) and make hand-dipped candles in order to keep the project medieval. Beeswax has a lovely fresh odor and does not require the addition of any scents, but it can be expensive. Whether you are new to candle-making or a practiced hand, please be sure to take all safety precautions. Clothing You may wish to create a medieval costume even if you dont belong to a reenactment group, it will look splendid at a masquerade or Renaissance fair. For a really authentic look, embroider the work using period embroidery techniques and period designs, or enhance it with hand-woven braids. If an entire costume isnt up your alley, you can use these techniques on something as simple as a cape or a scarf. Calligraphy If youre practiced in the art of calligraphy, try inscribing a medieval or Renaissance poem (or a verse from an epic) on parchment-style paper (real parchment can be very expensive). Shakespeare is always a hit, particularly his sonnets. Food, Glorious Food Thinking of a special holiday dinner? Try some medieval recipes. And forget that fruitcake go with a few medieval desserts instead. Gingerbread Cake is a period Christmas food, and Shortbreads are not only period but easy to present in a canister or, for a more authentic package, in a basket. If the recipient of your gift likes to cook as well, include the recipe hand calligraphed on parchment paper, rolled into a scroll and tied with a ribbon.   The Medieval Touch Whatever gift you choose to give, you can add a little medieval charm with a hand-calligraphed gift-tag (try parchment-look paper) or by wrapping the gift in fabric instead of paper (which was not really a disposable product in the middle ages). Decorate with fabric ribbons, dried flowers, berries, or pine cones. A personalized, hand-calligraphed bookmark with a holiday message is a great accompaniment to a book. Many of the customs we observe today began in the middle ages. For more about medieval Christmas, please see Medieval Christmas Traditions.