In the United States, Valentine’s Day candy exchanges are more than common between friends, within families, and in classrooms. Giving someone candy is a small thoughtful gesture that shows that you care about them — whether it be romantically or platonically. Though there are many different types of candy sold in February, conversation hearts have been popular since 1901 and are a part of American tradition.
Conversation hearts are actually a variation of an older candy called Necco wafers. Necco wafer and other lozenges were extremely popular because they had some minor medical benefits, like soothing the throat and fighting bad breath. A Boston pharmacist created an automated machine to forgo the more tiresome method of shaping the candies by hand, thus birthing Necco wafers. He also then added in a heart shape. Inspired by Valentine’s Day cards, the pharmacist’s brother then added phrases onto the Necco hearts. Today, the main company that makes conversation heart candies is Brach’s, and the hearts are eaten as candies, not as cough drops or lozenges.
Conversation hearts, sometimes referred to as sweethearts, are typically pastel-colored sugar hearts with printed phrases on them. Brach’s makes lemon, banana, cherry, grape, orange, and wintergreen varieties. Conversation hearts may look beautiful, but many Americans are repulsed by their chalky taste. The hearts are overall pretty crumbly, dusty, and hard to bite into. Regardless, you will see conversation hearts in many Valentine’s exchanges because they are humorous and flirty.
Let’s take a look at some of the phrases that you can find on conversation hearts.
LYMY - Short for love you, miss you.
Supes Cute - Supes (also alternatively spelled sups) is an abbreviation for “super,” so this phrase just means “super cute.”
Yas - An alternative spelling of “yes.” Spelling “yes” this way conveys enthusiasm and excitement. Yas has recently made its way into the Oxford Dictionary.
Gal Pal - A gal is a woman or a girl, so gal pal means a female friend or companion.
In a Fog - This phrase refers to the fact that someone is unable to think or see clearly because they are so in love with another person. Their sense of reality is disillusioned.
Dream Team - A “Dream Team” is made up of the perfect combination of people, so if you give this conversation heart to an individual that you like, you are insinuating that you would be the perfect couple.
Heart of Gold - Someone with a heart of gold is a person who is kind and generous. Their heart is solid, like gold.
URA QT - If you read each letter allowed, “URA QT” will sound a lot like “You are a cutie.”
Puppy Love - A short-term fling that is based on playfulness and innocence. This phrase is often used to describe a relationship between two young people.
If you’re interested in learning more about how candy hearts are made, check out this video.
Vocabulary list:
gesture (n.) - something that is done as a courtesy or to be kind
platonically (adv.) - describes a relationship that resembles a friendship, does not involve physical attraction
lozenge and cough drop (n.) - a medicinal tablet consumed for sore throats
wintergreen (n.) - a variety of mint flavoring, slightly sweet
chalky (adj.) - porous or delicate texture that crumbles easily
flirty (adj.) - playful in a romantic way
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bridgette Lang is an undergraduate student studying International Relations at Boston University. On campus, she helps run a collegiate Model United Nations Conference and manages finances for BU College Democrats. In her free time, Bridgette enjoys traveling, trying to learn Spanish, and visiting with her friends and family back home in Pennsylvania.