Origin of Phrases - K
Kiss of death
Meaning: Something that is a precursor to failure, that will lead to future failure.
Example: Even a hint by Greenspan that interest rates may rise is like a kiss of death to the stock market.
Origin: From the fabled Mafia practice. A kiss from the Don meant curtains for the receiver.
No doubt popularized in this country by Mafia movies, but the practice goes back much, much further, at least to Roman days. And let's not forget Judas kissing Jesus's cheek to identify him to the guards.