Monday, April 28, 2014

X is for Xs and Os

 April 28, 2014

2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge
A Rural Life
Day 24

X is for XXX and OOO

Only two days to go until the closing notes sound on the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge! It’s been a lot of work but I’m very pleased to complete the challenge for a fourth time. And I will complete it. Why would I quit now?

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Ah, the letter X. It’s a challenging entry for the A to Z blogger. I fear originality may suffer when almost two thousand bloggers take on the daunting X. I’m going with Xs and Os.

If your best friend sends you a birthday card signed with “XXX” and “OOO” you probably know it means she/he is sending you “hugs” and “kisses.” My BFF uses it and it always makes me smile. We’ve pals for a long time - since we were in elementary school! When she calls me, my cell phone plays “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen. Using X and O is a common custom today, but did you know its roots are in the Middle Ages?

In those days, Christians would draw a cross on a document to show their sincerity and honesty. They would then kiss the cross to show the document carried their sworn oath. This was quite common as a lot of people didn’t know how to write their name.
Since the O goes with the X we should note the O was used by Jewish immigrants who arrived in the New Country and only spoke Yiddish. Being Jewish, the cross didn’t have the meaning to them, but the sentiment of the O being their sworn promise was the same.

So there you have it. Xs and Os as sincere and honest hugs and kisses. Remember that the next time your best friend sends you a card. It’s a sign of sincerity, faith and honesty, and yes, abiding affection. 

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You didn’t really think you’d get away without a brief book promo, did you?

Newest release - MOON DANCES, book IV in the Sundown saga. Available now at 
www.allromanceebooks.com/product-riverwalk-2004040-145.html 

KC Kendricks
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2 comments:

Jolie du Pre said...

Awesome! Thanks for the education!

Precious Monsters

KC Kendricks said...

Thanks for stopping by the blog! Just one of the interesting things we use that has odd origins.