hickey
UK[ˈhɪki]US[ˈhɪki]
n
a temporary red mark on the skin, especially one caused by sucking or kissing.
n
a small tool or device, especially an improvised or makeshift one.
Etymology
the origin of 'hickey' is obscure, with its first recorded use in the early 20th century. it is widely considered an americanism, likely arising as an informal or slang term. one plausible theory suggests it derives from the nickname 'hickey', itself a pet form of the given name 'richard', used generically to denote a gadget or thingamajig, which later extended to the specific meaning of a love bite. this journey from a personal name to a term for an object and then to a specific mark on the skin exemplifies the playful and often opaque nature of slang etymology.
Analysis
the word is considered a simplex form. it is of uncertain origin, possibly a diminutive or nickname formation in american english.
Examples
she tried to cover the hickey on her neck with a scarf.
he used a clever hickey he invented to fix the leaking pipe.
the slang term for that kind of bruise is a hickey.