Some are probably too embarrassing to admit in public, but others -- darling, sugar or baby we freely use to woo hearts.

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And then there are those words that make up the language of love, relationships and making whoopee – when we try to hook up or flirt our way into the arms of another person.

The words for love might elude us when we’re in love, but at least we can understand what we are doing when we French kiss, spoon or go all the way.

And you thought you knew it all

French Kiss: Blame it on the rain, not the French. Since the 16th century the English language has had a habit – for better or for worse – in attributing anything risqué or exotic to the French. For example syphilis was known as French pox, condoms were French letters or French safes, and obscenities were credited to them as well, as in "pardon my French." And in the 1920s postcards with erotic photos on them were known as French postcards. But it seems that most people, French and non-French, enjoy this open-mouthed, tongue-tying kiss.

Hunk: Originating from the Flemish word hunke, meaning a large lump, hunk appeared in English as “a thick piece of something,” such as is in “a hunk of bread” in the early 19th century. Then it became slang for “a large slow, stupid man,” and by the 1970s, hunk came to mean a sexually attractive man. Hunk possibly got a boost from the Elvis Presley hit, “Burning Love,” which had the chorus “hunkahunka burning love.”

Flirt: We mostly use this word today in the context of making playful or romantic overtures to another person – without serious intentions, a casual encounter if you will. But when the word first appeared in the 1550s, it meant “to sneer or scoff at or to snub.” And later it morphed to “the flick of a finger or light slap,” and then by the 16th century “to move in a jerky fashion.”

Love through the ages

Puppy love, kitten, foxy, lovebirds – i.e. pet names: We have been using beastly names for our lovers for centuries. Many of these terms of endearment are thought to have originated between the 15th and 18th centuries where life heavily revolved around farming. Puppy love, for example, wasn’t commonly used until the early 1800s. Before that innocent infatuation was known as calf love.

Honey, sugar, sugar-pie, sweetie-pie – i.e. food names: While each word has its own meaning – sugar originates from sukkar in Arabic – the sweet tooth of Renaissance poets popularized the use of foods in expressing love. All these years we have been ripping off Shakespeare and Chaucer.

Try these on for size

These words wooed lovers in centuries past. Think you got enough game to use them today? Give them a try. And let us know how it turned out!

Try uttering “Oh, lambkin” next time you and your date are tangled in each others arms. It was a common saying around the barnyard in the 16th century.

Or try calling your girlfriend a little marmoset. Exotic creatures were often used by lovers in the same time period. This one refers to a long-tailed South American monkey.

“Mon petit chou. ” If animals aren’t getting you anywhere, you might try, calling your beloved le chou, or cabbage in French. French lovers have been using it since the mid 19th century.

Name game

We want to hear from you! Send us your favorite pet names, terms of endearment or lover’s words and look for it in an upcoming story.

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