Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?

Oct 24, 2025 5 min

About this episode

Mistletoe is a small evergreen parasitic plant that grows in clusters on trees. It has white berries and it has been used for centuries as a symbol of love, fertility, and peace. The Greeks used mistletoe as a cure for all sorts of ailments while the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted it could be used as a balm against epilepsy, ulcers and poisons. The Druids came to view it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and they gave it to humans and animals alike in the hope of restoring fertility. However, one of the most popular legends about mistletoe and probably the reason we associated this plant with kissing dates back to Norse mythology. But how did it become associated with kissing? How did kissing under the mistletoe become popular? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠At which time of day do we burn the most calories?⁠ ⁠Why does the cold make us need to pee?⁠ ⁠How can I meditate without meditating?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First broadcast : 21/12/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to this episode in English to learn English

Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? from Do you really know? gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.

In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.

Episodes to Learn English

More podcasts in English