Before the days  of texting and emailing, “XOXO” was an affectionate farewell scribbled at the end of long love letters, or birthday cards from parents and close friends.

Now, mere acquaintances and even strangers are sending out hugs and kisses in emails, texts, tweets, and wall posts.  The term has taken on many meanings, from a coquettish wink to a casual gesture suggesting friendliness or warmth. Bosses and lovers have signed notes to me with “xo,” or “xe” (a kiss artfully accompanying a first initial), and therein lies the expression’s charming ambiguity.

Even when the context is clear, it can still be hard to deduce whether a cyber kiss is loaded or not. Is it gauche to sign business emails with “xoxo,” or is it just a way of keeping up with the times and creeping out your co-workers?

- Lizzie Crocker

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