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I've used this word for a long time and mostly seem to be misunderstood. Did I think to look the word up in the dictionary to see if I were the one misusing it? No.
Well, I've finally looked it up. I'm not misusing it, but I can see how it would lead to confusion. But I don't see a good alternative, either.
Here are the various words, along with selected definitions, that form a self-referential loop for cuddle. The definitions were picked as to provide a sense of my sense of "cuddle" and what I'm after in my life.
Cuddle: hug tenderly; to nestle, snuggle.
Nestle: To settle snugly and comfortably; to draw or press close, as in affection; snuggle
Snuggle: To curl up closely or comfortably; to draw close or hold closely, as for comfort or in affection
Affection: A tender feeling toward another; fondness; (See Synonyms at love)
Love: A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness; a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
The missing component, though, is eye contact. (No. Not like a contact sport. I am not interested in rubbing eyeballs together.)
The question is, though, did this exercise make my use of "cuddle" any clearer for me or for anyone else.
Another interesting point is that sex showed up as the second or fourth or "related" entries if there at all. Yet, "cuddle" does seem filled with sexual overtones. I might stop using cuddle and start using nestle. Somehow, though, it does not sound a sweet or affectionate. Snuggle seems a much closer fit, really.
It's a primate "troop" thing with me, I think. It's the "grooming" behavior for me and the "presenting" behavior for a lot of other people. :)
Well, I've finally looked it up. I'm not misusing it, but I can see how it would lead to confusion. But I don't see a good alternative, either.
Here are the various words, along with selected definitions, that form a self-referential loop for cuddle. The definitions were picked as to provide a sense of my sense of "cuddle" and what I'm after in my life.
Cuddle: hug tenderly; to nestle, snuggle.
Nestle: To settle snugly and comfortably; to draw or press close, as in affection; snuggle
Snuggle: To curl up closely or comfortably; to draw close or hold closely, as for comfort or in affection
Affection: A tender feeling toward another; fondness; (See Synonyms at love)
Love: A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness; a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
The missing component, though, is eye contact. (No. Not like a contact sport. I am not interested in rubbing eyeballs together.)
The question is, though, did this exercise make my use of "cuddle" any clearer for me or for anyone else.
Another interesting point is that sex showed up as the second or fourth or "related" entries if there at all. Yet, "cuddle" does seem filled with sexual overtones. I might stop using cuddle and start using nestle. Somehow, though, it does not sound a sweet or affectionate. Snuggle seems a much closer fit, really.
It's a primate "troop" thing with me, I think. It's the "grooming" behavior for me and the "presenting" behavior for a lot of other people. :)