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#25025
03/27/2001 7:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
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.
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#25026
03/27/2001 7:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
two guesses:
a light left on for loved ones; and
a light left on for lovers (as, e.g., by their concerned parents)
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#25027
03/28/2001 10:11 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
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.
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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#25028
03/28/2001 2:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
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"
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#25029
03/28/2001 4:00 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Keep your love light burning
My guess is this is a play on the original meaning, whatever that may have been.
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#25030
03/29/2001 3:25 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 508
addict
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addict
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 508 |
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? 
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#25031
03/29/2001 9:59 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
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
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#25032
03/29/2001 5:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
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
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