Long before dating apps and digital flirting, people communicated love and desire in far subtler ways. From the flutter of a fan to the position of a glove, secret “languages of love” helped individuals navigate romantic intentions in eras where open courtship was taboo.

Historians are now revisiting these 200-year-old codes of affection, revealing a forgotten world of nonverbal signals. In 19th-century Europe, for example, a lady twirling her parasol meant something very different than one fanning herself slowly. Handkerchief drops, buttonhole flowers, and even the tilt of a hat could speak volumes.

These coded gestures weren’t just playful — they were often necessary. At a time when strict social norms governed interaction between men and women, these hidden signs allowed couples to communicate emotion and interest without saying a single word.

Experts believe these forgotten languages still influence modern flirting, especially in body language, eye contact, and subtle gestures. As AI, text-based dating, and hyper-visual online cultures dominate, some are calling for a return to more poetic and intuitive forms of romantic expression.