Franklin Dean
The word honeymoon comes from the Old English hony moone, with hony (or honey) referring to the indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple and moone referring to the fleeting nature of that very sweetness. The word may also refer to the 'Mead Moon' or 'Honey Moon', an old name for the June full moon, as June was a prime month for both marriage and honey harvesting. The honeymoon tradition, however, may have originated in the fifth century during medieval times, stemming from marriage by capture, an ancient practice in which the groom would kidnap his bride with the intention of impregnating her without her family objecting. In the 19th century, upper-class couples in Britain would take a bridal tour, sometimes accompanied by friends or family, to visit relatives who had not been able to attend the wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology | The Old English "hony moone" |
| Hony | Refers to the indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple |
| Moone | Refers to the fleeting nature of the post-wedding period of tenderness and pleasure |
| Mead Moon or Honey Moon | Old name for the June full moon |
| June | Prime month for both marriage and honey harvesting |
| Medieval belief | Love tends to wane as the moon does |
| Marriage by capture | Husband goes into hiding with his wife to avoid reprisals from her relatives |
| Bridal tour | Upper-class couples would travel to visit relatives who had not attended the wedding |
| Percentage of couples taking a honeymoon | 75% |
| Average honeymoon cost in the US | $4500 |
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What You'll Learn
- 'Honeymoon' comes from the Old English 'hony moone'
- 'Hony' means 'honey' and 'moone' means a fleeting time
- The term was first used to warn newlyweds about waning love
- 'Honeymoon' also refers to the 'Mead Moon' or 'Honey Moon' in June
- The tradition of honeymooning started with upper-class 'bridal tours' in the 1800s
'Honeymoon' comes from the Old English 'hony moone'
The word "honeymoon" comes from the Old English "hony moone". The word "hony", a reference to honey, refers to the "indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple", or how sweet the new marriage is. "Moone", meanwhile, refers to the fleeting amount of time that sweetness would last. While "honeymoon" has a positive connotation today, it was first used as a term to warn newlyweds about waning love.
The first recorded description of the word comes from 1542, when Samuel Johnson wrote: "The first month after marriage, when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure; originally having no reference to the period of a month, but comparing mutual affection of newly-married persons to the changing moon which is no sooner full that it begins to wane...". An earlier source from 1546 describes the honeymoon period as "characterized by love and happiness".
The custom of honeymooning in the modern sense—a pure holiday voyage undertaken by the couple—became widespread during the Belle Époque in the late 1800s. In 19th-century Britain, betrothed couples went on a "'bridal tour', travelling together to visit friends and family who had not attended the wedding. The practice soon spread to the European continent and was known in France as a "voyage à la façon anglaise" ('English-style voyage') from the 1820s onwards.
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'Hony' means 'honey' and 'moone' means a fleeting time
The word 'honeymoon' has its etymology in the Old English phrase "hony moone". The word "honeymoon" combines two words: "honey" and "moon". In Old English, "honey" symbolised the sweetness of early marriage, and "moon" referred to its fleeting nature—like the phases of the moon. The sixteenth-century writer Samuel Johnson contributed the first known recorded description of the word in 1542, when he wrote: "The first month after marriage, when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure; originally having no reference to the period of a month, but comparing the mutual affection of newly-married persons to the changing moon which is no sooner full than it begins to wane".
The custom in Western culture and some Westernised countries' cultures of a newlywed couple going on a holiday together originated in early-19th-century Britain. Upper-class couples would take a "bridal tour", sometimes accompanied by friends or family, to visit relatives who had not been able to attend the wedding. The practice soon spread to the European continent and was known in France as a "voyage à la façon anglaise" ('English-style voyage'), from the 1820s onwards.
The tradition of couples taking a holiday immediately after marriage most likely stems from these bridal tours that were popular among the upper classes, combined with the rise of popular travel and tourism in the 1800s.
In some cultures, the "honey" part of the word "honeymoon" ties to mead—a honey-based alcoholic drink often consumed by newlyweds during their first month of marriage. It was believed to boost fertility and bring good fortune, making it as much a ritual as a romantic gesture. While the "moon" served as a gentle reminder of time passing, encouraging couples to cherish the moment.
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The term was first used to warn newlyweds about waning love
The word "honeymoon" comes from the Old English "hony moone", with "hony" (or "honey") referring to the indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple, and "moone" referring to the fleeting nature of that very sweetness. The term was first used to warn newlyweds about waning love, with the implication that their affections would wane with the moon.
The word "honeymoon" was originally used to describe the first month of marriage, which was characterised by love and happiness. This custom, known as "marriage by capture", involved the groom kidnapping his bride with the intention of impregnating her without her family's consent. The groom would keep the bride captive until her family gave up the search or she became pregnant, making it impossible for her to return to her family. During this period, the couple was said to be experiencing their "honeymoon".
In the 19th century, the term "honeymoon" began to be associated with the post-wedding trip taken by newlyweds. This was known as a bridal tour, and involved the couple travelling together to visit friends and family who had been unable to attend the wedding. The practice of the "bridal tour" originated in 19th-century Britain and soon spread to the European continent, where it was known in France as a "voyage à la façon anglaise" ("English-style voyage"). Over time, the "honeymoon" evolved to become a holiday voyage undertaken by the couple alone, becoming widespread during the Belle Époque in the late 1800s.
Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in destinations considered exotic or romantic, and may include activities such as customised spa treatments, adventurous excursions, and culinary tours. The tradition of the honeymoon has become a widely embraced post-wedding custom, with couples prioritising personalisation and the ability to design their perfect honeymoon.
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'Honeymoon' also refers to the 'Mead Moon' or 'Honey Moon' in June
The word "honeymoon" comes from the Old English "hony moone". The word "hony", meaning honey, refers to the "indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple", or how sweet the new marriage is. "Moone", on the other hand, refers to the fleeting nature of that very sweetness. The word "honeymoon" may also refer to the "Mead Moon" or "Honey Moon", an old name for the June full moon. June was, and still is, a prime month for both marriage and honey harvesting.
The custom of the honeymoon in Western culture and some Westernised countries' cultures originated in 19th-century Britain. Upper-class couples would take a "bridal tour", sometimes accompanied by friends or family, to visit relatives who had not been able to attend the wedding. The practice soon spread to continental Europe and was known in France as a "voyage à la façon anglaise" ('English-style voyage') from the 1820s onwards.
The honeymoon was originally the period following marriage, "characterised by love and happiness", as attested since 1546. The word may allude to "the idea that the first month of marriage is the sweetest". According to a book of proverbs from 1552, the term "hony mone" was "proverbially applied to such a be newe maried, whiche wyll not fall out at the fyrste, but thone loveth the other at the beginnynge excedyngly, the likelyhode of theyr exceadynge love appearing to asawge...".
In the mid-18th century, Samuel Johnson's Dictionary defined the honeymoon as "the first month after marriage when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure", implying that their affections would wane with the moon. Claims that the term was linked to an ancient practice of drinking honey-mead for 30 days after the wedding were made by the Victorians in the 19th century.
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The tradition of honeymooning started with upper-class 'bridal tours' in the 1800s
The tradition of taking a honeymoon immediately after a wedding is a relatively modern concept, with its origins rooted in the bridal tours of the 19th-century upper classes. The term 'honeymoon' refers to the idea of a holiday taken by the newlywed couple, a brief period of indulgence and celebration right after the wedding. This practice of honeymooning began with the upper classes in the 1800s, who had the means and leisure time to embark on extended tours to celebrate their nuptials. It was an opportunity for the newly married couple to spend time together, away from the constraints of everyday life, and often involved traveling to popular tourist destinations or country retreats.
During this period, marriage customs were evolving, and the idea of romantic love and companionship was becoming increasingly important in matrimonial unions, particularly among the upper classes. As such, the honeymoon provided a space for the couple to get to know one another intimately and to strengthen their bond, away from the watchful eyes of family and society. It was a time for privacy and exclusivity, a sharp contrast to the public nature of the wedding ceremony and the subsequent return to everyday life.
These bridal tours were often extensive and could last for several weeks or even months. Popular destinations included European cities known for their art, culture, and history, as well as rural retreats in the countryside, offering peace, tranquility, and a connection to nature. The choice of destination often reflected the interests and hobbies of the couple, with some opting for adventurous trips that included hunting, fishing, or even foreign travel to exotic locations.
As the tradition gained popularity, it gradually spread beyond the upper classes, with members of the middle classes also embracing the concept of a bridal tour or honeymoon. However, for those with more modest means, the honeymoon was often a shorter trip, closer to home, and less extravagant in nature. Nonetheless, the fundamental idea of a dedicated period for the couple to celebrate their union and enjoy each other's company remained the same. Thus, the modern honeymoon was born, and it continues to be a cherished tradition for couples around the world, adapting to the cultural and financial contexts of diverse societies.
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Frequently asked questions
A honeymoon is a vacation taken by newlyweds after their wedding to celebrate their marriage.
The honeymoon tradition first originated in the fifth century during medieval times. According to some sources, it is a relic of "marriage by capture", where the groom would kidnap his bride with the intention of impregnating her without her family objecting.
The etymology of the word comes from the Old English "hony moone". "Hony", a reference to honey, refers to the "indefinite period of tenderness and pleasure experienced by a newly wed couple". "Moone", meanwhile, refers to the fleeting amount of time that sweetness would last. The name may also refer to the Mead Moon or Honey Moon, an old name for the June full moon.
The tradition of couples taking a holiday immediately after marriage most likely stems from bridal tours, which were popular among upper-class couples in 19th-century Britain.
