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kissing cousin

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noun
  1. See under kissing kin.
  2. something closely related or very similar: a textile that is a kissing cousin to nylon.
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Origin of kissing cousin

First recorded in 1935–40

kissing kin

noun
  1. any more or less distant kin familiar enough to be greeted with a kiss, as a cousin (kissing cousin).
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Idioms and Phrases with kissing cousins

kissing cousins

Two or more things that are closely akin or very similar. For example, They may be made by different manufacturers, but these two cars are kissing cousins. This metaphoric term alludes to a distant relative who is well known enough to be greeted with a kiss. [c. 1930]

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.