The Victorian AtlasCabinet of Curiosities
Slang & Sayings

doing the bear

Courting that involves a great deal of hugging.

“‘None of your doing-the-bear in my parlour, young man,’ warned the girl's mother.”

Note: Ware's Passing English of the Victorian Era (1909): ‘Doing the bear (Span.-Amer., passing over U.S.). Courting which involves hugging.’ A late-Victorian flirtation phrase.

#romance #social

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