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#54307 01/29/02 04:05 PM
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Hi, folks!
I'm brand-new, and am writing because I can't find -- anywhere! -- proof to end an argument that my family's been having since Christmas Eve.

In the expression "xxoo" (kisses and hugs), which are the kisses and which are the hugs? The grownups all KNOW that x=kiss and o=hug, but the kids feel that the x stands for crossed arms, and the o for a smooched-up pair of lips.

Anyone know where I can prove that the grownups are right?

Help! And thanks --
wordjunkie


#54308 01/29/02 04:16 PM
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hi wordjunkie, and welcome aBoard.

I'm with the kids on this one (so what's new, they chorus!)

But if you want a list of good sites and other reference materials, try looking under Info&Ann section for FAQs, and go to Max's site for a list... if not for this, it may be valuable other times.

and if anyone knows a similarly easy answer for other domestic disputes....


#54309 01/29/02 04:57 PM
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Just so's you get plenty of both, who cares which is which?


#54310 01/29/02 05:02 PM
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Hi Wordjunkie, Welcome.

You are Wrong. The grown-ups are right.
The XXX es symbolizing crossed arms and the OOO s symbolizing a puckered mouth is much too logical to have originated with old folks. Why, in the old days, that is, the ninteenth century, they didn't even have a separate symbol for hugs. The XXX es stood for kisses, hugs, handshakes, Barn dances, and lots more.
I like the XXX es for hugs, the OOO s for kisses, better.

Signed,
Not yet grown up, but wise beyond my years,
Milum.


#54311 01/29/02 06:50 PM
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I've never attempted to make sense of it from a representational graphics aspect, but have always known the Xs to be the kisses and the Os to be the hugs. My own recollection is that the "Os" are fairly recent. This impression seems to be supported by the fact that Webster's Dictionary includes an entry for this use of X, but nothing similar for O.

From Webster's:

X, symbol. ... 2. (used at the end of letters, telegrams, etc., to indicate a kiss.)


#54312 01/29/02 07:18 PM
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You are Wrong. The grown-ups are right.

yeahbut®

if'n enough of the kids go the other way, you'll be a long time dead and their language will live on


#54313 01/29/02 07:24 PM
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and [yart, yart, yart*]X could be the greek letter chi-- which has K(r) sound as in Christmas (XMas) or X as a symbol of christ.

chi being found in synchronize..or brand name like kodachrome

and since its K sound.. an X is a Kiss!

PS to new users-- Yart is yet another re-hashed topic if you'd like to read about chi.. search the archives.. or repackage your questions in a new and clever way-- we are sucker's for that ploy!


#54314 01/29/02 07:56 PM
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...or repackage your questions in a new and clever way-- we are sucker's for that ploy!

As we are for re-packaged handles!!

welcome back, you-know-who


#54315 01/29/02 08:53 PM
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Dear ASp: I think you guessed wrong about repackaged handles. We got several, but bio suggests this is not one.

Dear Wordjunkie: XXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOO to you. The old Lecher.

P.S. I have sent you a Private Message of explanation.


#54316 01/30/02 01:03 AM
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Exactly how old are these 'kids'? In my 24 years, X has always been kiss, and O, hug. Or maybe I just assumed that cross and kiss sound so similar...


#54317 01/30/02 03:27 AM
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Sparteye has, as she often does, hit the nail on the head. Since Sparteye, milum, of troy, doc comfort and I all agree that X is "kiss", that settles it. You may adduce this pronoucement to your kids as proof. [Nyah, nyah, nyah e-con to Mav]

Welcome to the board. Let's hear more from you.


#54318 01/30/02 10:52 AM
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You folks are MARVELOUS! And, for the record, the adults win. X equals kiss; O equals hug. An important thing to note, right before Valentine's Day, doncha think?

And, Doc, the kids are aged 21-27. The adults range from 45-52.

Thank you for telling me where I can POINT to the answer in a book. I needed that, since some of the kids are awfully literal!

And I appreciate all of your nice words of welcome, as well.

Saw a clever definition in this month's Reader's Digest that I'll share, in case anyone likes chiasmus:

Olympic officials: the souls that time men's tries.

Here's to good words!


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The X is really two people's puckered lips coming together like > < meeting for a X (kiss) and the O is the circle of arms around you!
So there.
Welcome Wordjunkie and thanks for a tickle of a post!


#54320 01/30/02 02:36 PM
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[Nyah, nyah, nyah e-con to Mav]

yeahbut®

I had already had the truth of your arguments put much more persuasively in a gentler voice of little accent

I am delighted to now correct the failing of memory of this, my second childhood so nyah~nyah back to you with knobs on!


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