Re: Kiss (was: Many Words for One Concept (was: Interesting Words))

From: "Christian Thalmann"

> These seem to be just about the only type distinctions that English
> makes.  French, the alleged language of love, is even worse: AFAIK
> it only distinguishes "baiser" (non-romantic kiss) from "embrasser"
> (romantic kiss), the latter of which also comprises the meaning
> "embrace"!  Isn't that pathetic?  =P
Attention, mon vieux!

"Un baiser", the noun, is "a kiss" (though I would hardly call the one in
Rodin's sculpture "Le Baiser" 'non-romantic'), but the verb "baiser" has
shifted meaning to mean, um, er, the F-word. "Embrasser" is the current verb
for "kiss" and, for me, could range anywhere from planting a gooey wet one
to the perfunctory 3-5 French pecks on the cheek.

Other noun options are "la bise", "le bisou", and "le bécot". "(Se) bécoter"
is akin to English "smooch".

Kou

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