# an etymology issue

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-etymology-issue/18841>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 7, 2000, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-etymology-issue/18841 "2000-05-07T17:55:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2000, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-etymology-issue/18841/1 "2000-05-07T17:55:43Z")

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hickie(s)

What a terrible sounding word.  
“Hickies” seem rather juvenile, and the word sounds extremely juvenile, IMHO.

My question is: Is there a more “adult” word or phrase to replace “hickie?” If so, please do tell.  
I kind of like the sound of “love bites,” but that can be interpreted as having alternate meanings, possibly negative.  
Any suggestions on a more mature term to describe this?

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**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2000, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-etymology-issue/18841/2 "2000-05-07T19:09:21Z")

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Erotic ecchymoses?

Nyah, aside from the alliteration it’s got squat going for it. Unles someone can come up with a clever way to shorten it.