Valentine’s Day is a time for talking about love, and for more than a century Americans have agreed that one of the best ways to express your deepest feelings is with tiny words stamped on mass-produced chalky candies no bigger than a fingernail.
Conversation hearts are a tradition that started in 1866 when Daniel Chase devised a machine that used vegetable dye to print messages on pressed candies. The first conversation candies were much larger than today’s, with room for more nuanced expressions of love and longing, such as:
“How long shall I have to wait, please be considerate”
And detailed requests, like:
“Please send a lock of your hair by return mail”
And this warning to any bride considering an alternative to the traditional white dress:
"Married in pink, He will take to drink"
Over the years, conversation hearts’ not-at-all-delicious recipe of sugar, corn syrup and gelatin has stayed the same, but the words have changed with the times. The New England Confectionery Company (NECCO, the original makers of conversation Sweethearts) and other manufacturers try to keep up with new lingo. We may laugh at how people spoke about love in the past — but someday, not too far away, someone is going to be laughing at us. Here’s a look at 10 past sayings, along with 10 suggestions for 2018.
10 conversation heart mottos from the past
Groovey
Let’s Do Lunch
As If
1-800-Cupid
Fax Me
Page Me
Email Me
Diva
Be My Icon
www.cupid
10 suggestions for 2018
Be My Bae
Ask Consent
Fist Bump
Swipe Right
Like
Nom
Side Hug
Meh
Stay Woke
Unblock Me
If You Go
WHAT: Valen-what?
WHEN: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13
WHERE: Lewiston City Library
COST: Free
OF NOTE: Valentine or anti-Valentine activities for all ages with treats in The Makery and arts and crafts in the large meeting room.
