Kissin' Cousins Access

: Since the 1930s, dictionaries have defined a "kissing cousin" as a relative known well enough to be greeted with a formal kiss, such as a peck on the cheek.

The "kissing cousin" trope is a staple in storytelling, often used for comedic or dramatic effect. Kissin' Cousins

: In the 19th-century U.S., a shift began as medical and religious authorities began associating cousin marriage with "idiocy" and genetic defects. This led to many states enacting bans that remain today; 30 states currently prohibit first-cousin marriage. : Since the 1930s, dictionaries have defined a

: In the Southern United States, the phrase emphasizes strong family ties where even distant relations are treated as close kin. Cultural and Legal History This led to many states enacting bans that

: Elvis Presley famously starred in the 1964 musical film Kissin' Cousins , where the title track lightheartedly suggests that a "distant cousin" is fair game for romance.