Slang dictionary
kiss and cry
[ kis and krahy ]
What is the kiss and cry?
In competitive figure skating, the kiss and cry is the designated off-rink area where skaters await their scores from the judges following their routine.
The nickname is based on the fact that skaters and their coaches (and sometimes loved ones there in support) often react emotionally when scores are revealed, with high scores often resulting in kisses and congratulations, while low scores result in commiseration and sometimes crying.
The term became so widely used in figure skating that it has even been referenced in official rules documents of the International Skating Union, which requires all competition venues to designate such an area and limit who has access to it.
Example: Figure skating fans are familiar with the tense few minutes that skaters must sit in the kiss and cry and await their scores.
Where does kiss and cry come from?
The coining of the name kiss and cry is often traced back to the late 1970s or early ’80s. According to some accounts, it was coined by Finnish skating official Jane Erkko. It is also variously credited to figure skating broadcasters or producers in the 1980s, when it became popular within the figure skating community and also began to gain more widespread usage.
Since then, kiss and cry has become a widely accepted name for the area.
Examples of kiss and cry
Who uses kiss and cry?
The term kiss and cry is popularly used within the figure skating community and by commentators and fans. It’s so widespread within figure skating that it’s sometimes even used as the official name of the area. The emotional moments before and after scores are announced are associated with the drama of the sport.
Yuzuru Hanyu being alone in the kiss and cry was so heartbreaking ill be honest.
— NotThatEmily (@NotThat_Emily) February 8, 2022
Class move by Boikova/Kozlovskii to congratulate Tarasova/Morozov the way that they did, greeting them in the kiss and cry.
The duo have their first national title in two years and third overall.
— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) December 26, 2020
Hearing Tracy Wilson in the kiss and cry makes me wish she was my coach too. So much wisdom and such a soothing voice!
— Meagan Duhamel (@mhjd_85) March 23, 2018
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of kiss and cry like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of kiss and cry that will help our users expand their word mastery.