spoons

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

The condition of two persons who SPOON on each other, who are deeply in love. "I see, it’s a case of SPOONS with them," is a common phrase when lovers are mentioned.

Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English
Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Common questions

What does “spoons” mean?

The condition of two persons who SPOON on each other, who are deeply in love. "I see, it’s a case of SPOONS with them," is a common phrase when lovers are mentioned.

Is “spoons” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.