Flirting or coquetry is a social and sexual behavior involving body language, or spoken or written communication. It is used to suggest interest in a deeper relationship with another person and for amusement.
A person will flirt with another by speaking or behaving in such a way that suggests their desire to increase intimacy in their current relationship with that person. The approach may include communicating a sense of playfulness, irony, or by using double entendres.
Flirting takes the form of two main styles; verbal and non-verbal.
A person can indicate flirting behavior by changing their verbal affect:
Alterations in vocal tone, such as pace, volume, and intonation.
Challenging their partner in order to increase tension and test the partner's reception to flirting.
Alternative forms include teasing, asking probing questions, and feigning disinterest.
Adoration of their partner, by praising the partner's self-assurance, intelligence, fashion style, etc.
Non-verbal flirting behavior can include:
Flicking of the hair
Prolonged eye contact
Brief touching
Open stance/posture
Proximity, and other gestures.
The origin of the word "flirt" is unknown. The Oxford English Dictionary (first edition) associates the verb form—first used in 1580—with the intransitive "flit" and the noun form—ca 1590—with the transitive "flick".
Flirt has been attributed to the French conter fleurette, which has fallen out of common use. The French word "fleurette" (small flower) was used in the 16th century in some sonnets and texts. While this term is now seen as outdated, this expression is still used in French, often mockingly, however the English gallicism, "to flirt" is in the common vernacular and has now become an anglicism.
During World War II, anthropologist Margaret Mead was working in Britain for the British Ministry of Information and later for the U.S. Office of War Information, delivering speeches and writing articles to help the American soldiers better understand the British civilians, and vice versa.
