Honeymoon (original) (raw)

A honeymoon is the traditional trip taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage, and presumably, consummate it. Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in secluded, exotic, warm, or other places that are thought to be special and romantic. For example, warm, sunny beaches, rugged, scenic coastlines, and mountain retreats.

The origin of the honeymoon

There is some disagreement as to the origin of the notion of the honeymoon and the etymology of the word "honeymoon."

One explanation is that, while today it has positive meaning, the word "honeymoon" was a sardonic reference to the inevitable waning of love like a phase of the moon. This, the first literary reference to the honeymoon was penned in 1552, in Richard Huloet's Abecedarium Anglico Latinum.

Another explanation is that there was supposed to be a tradition that involved drinking mead, a honey-based alcoholic drink, for a lunar month after a marriage.

Some believe the term to be a vulgarization of the Norse word "hjunottsmanathr". After kidnapping one's bride, she was kept hidden away until pregnant or her family stopped looking for her, and then was brought back to formalize the wedding.