S.W.A.K.



S.W.A.K.

A mark of affection on the back of an envelope. Before e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter, people exchanged romantic sentiments by means of handwritten letters. One way to include a final bit of tenderness was to write S.W.A.K. on the back of the envelope. Women often blotted their lipstick over the four letters to emphasize their love.

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
CescSESKCatalan
MalteMAHL-tə (German)Danish, Swedish, German
BraidyBRAY-deeEnglish (Rare)
PetrusPE-truws (German)Dutch, German, Biblical Latin
Takakotah-kah-koJapanese
ChetCHETEnglish