A "hickey" is a small, temporary mark or bruise on the skin, often caused by sucking or biting during intimate moments. It typically appears as a red or purple spot and is usually found on the neck or arm. Hickeys are sometimes playfully referred to as "love bites."
The term "hickey" has uncertain origins but is believed to have come into use in the United States around the late 19th century. It may derive from the slang term "hick" meaning "to strike" or it could be connected to the word "hick-up," reflecting the action associated with creating such a mark.