kissing cousin
1
7.7
- noun
- /ˈkɪsɪŋ ˈkʌzən/
- Archaic
:
primo besucón
- So what if they were kissing cousins?
So what would you tell an entrepreneur about, you know, you know, perseverance and delusion are kissing cousins, right?
- So what would you tell an entrepreneur about, you know, you know, perseverance and delusion are kissing cousins, right?
Examples
-
Actually, we're kissing cousins on our Quaker brother's sister's side.
-
My grandmother often reminisces about her kissing cousin who lived in the same town during her childhood.
-
Although they are not related by blood, they treat each other like kissing cousins, always sharing secrets and laughter.
-
During family gatherings, cousins often become more like kissing cousins, forming bonds that feel as close as family.
Synonyms
Antonyms
How Close
253
1.0
645
1.0
∞
1.0
- Archaic
1
7.7
114
3.5
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
kissing + cousin
The components 'kissing' (affection) and 'cousin' (relative) give a learner a plausible clue that the phrase refers to a relatively close or familiar relative/friend, so part of the meaning is derivable from the words. However, the expression is idiomatic with cultural/taboo nuances (possible literal/romantic misinterpretation and metaphorical uses like 'closely related'), so the exact non-romantic, idiomatic sense is not fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
The idiom kissing cousin may come from family gatherings where a cousin you did not see often would be greeted with a quick kiss on the cheek. So, it now means a 'distant relative' or 'close friend' who is warm and familiar, but not a romantic partner.