Kiss and tell

Posted by ESC on May 30, 2009 at 14:44

In Reply to: Kiss and tell posted by R. Berg on May 30, 2009 at 13:30:

: : I believe the expression "kiss and tell" has a older meaning. I even believe (not sure though) that the expression is from the King Arthur tales where the knights kiss the king as a way to pledge their alliance to him, and when they go and betray him they betrayed him (kiss and tell) making a promise and breaking it.

: If the phrase goes back that far, why not a few centuries more? The name "Judas" might ring a bell. ~rb

Found this:

"O fie, miss, you must not kiss and tell." Love for Love , William Congreve (1670-1729) Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, by John Barlett and Justin Kaplan, general editor (Little, Brown and Co., Boston, 2002). Page 300:18.

• Kiss and tell Victoria S Dennis 30/May/09