Plural of hickey, meaning dark marks or bruises on the skin caused by sucking or kissing intensely, often seen on the neck.
Origin uncertain, possibly from 'hickey-dory' or onomatopoetic in origin. The term became widespread in 20th-century youth slang and remains common in modern English.
Hickeys are tiny blood vessels bursting under skin from suction, but they became such a cultural icon of teenage romance that they're referenced in songs, movies, and comedies worldwide.
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