In our family, we "leave the love light on" until the last person comes in. That is the light over the front porch or, if there is no front porch light, the light in the front hall.
Does anybody know the origin of this expression/tradition. I tried googling but came up with loads of songs but no history.
two guesses:
a light left on for loved ones; and
a light left on for lovers (as, e.g., by their concerned parents)
two guesses:
a light left on for loved ones; and
a light left on for lovers (as, e.g., by their concerned parents)
and a third rather more cynical guess:
a light left on to discourage lovers from doing what lovers do do if they can do.
allegedly--in colonial america, there were "courting candles" and a male caller was invited to stay as long as the candle was lit-- such courting candle might be the source of the term love lights.
but -- i have only seen courting candles in catalogs that sell candles and candle holders-- so i don't know if they existed-- or if its all just a marketing ploy.
There is the song- Let Me Call You SweetHeart with the lines
"Keep your love light burning, in your heart, so true,
Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you"
which suggest a love light is not a real light, but more like "burning desire"
Keep your love light burning
My guess is this is a play on the original meaning, whatever that may have been.
two guesses:
a light left on for loved ones; and
a light left on for lovers (as, e.g., by their concerned parents)
and a third rather more cynical guess:
a light left on to discourage lovers from doing what lovers do do if they can do.And why, pray tell, do you think their parents are concerned?
And why, pray tell, do you think their parents are concerned?Thanks, Nan, couldn't have said it better myself--and didn't!
and a
.
-Binky
How about the days before lights were cheap enough to be left on for extended periods? How about a discussion of bundling?
2 to lie in the same bed with one‘s sweetheart without undressing: a former courting custom, esp. in New England