kissing disease

English

Etymology

So called because it may be transmitted through kissing.

Noun

kissing disease (uncountable)

  1. (informal) mononucleosis.
    • 1961 February, "What in the world is Mononucleosis?," Kiplinger Magazine, p. 30 (retrieved 19 Oct 2010):
      It was in a college, West Point, that infectious mononucleosis won a romantic reputation. . . . Investigators at a girls' school also found post-vacation peaks, and mono became known as the "kissing disease".

References
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