An open-air game played by young people of both sexes, who stand in a ring with hands joined, except one who runs round outside the ring and touches (or drops a handkerchief behind) one of the opposite sex, who thereupon leaves the ring and runs after the first, kissing him or her when caught.
1825. Hone, Every-day Bk., I. 691. There were several parties playing at ‘Kiss in the ring.’
1862. Guardian, 23 April, 386/2. Kiss-in-the-ring once so popular at Sydenham was decidedly at a discount.
1899. Westm. Gaz., 10 Aug., 8/2. A peculiar custom on Hampstead Heath for the week following Bank Holiday is the playing of kiss-in-the-ring on a large scale on a special part of the West Heath.
