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The Conversation USA

Santa, maybe? Why we have different names for who ‘hurries down the chimney’ on Christmas

  • Written by Valerie M. Fridland, Professor of Linguistics, University of Nevada, Reno
imageA trade card promoting a holiday sale at the 'Bee Hive' store on Dec. 10, 1879, in New York City. Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

Everyone has heard of Santa Claus, that chubby, white-bearded, red-suited guy who delivers Christmas presents via a reindeer-powered sleigh.

But have you never wondered how he became a man of so many names? From...

Read more: Santa, maybe? Why we have different names for who ‘hurries down the chimney’ on Christmas

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