X is for XOXO

Dear Diary,

  First up I apologise for not writing yesterday, I was not well and the Doctor had advised complete rest. The medicines that he recommended were so strong that I spent a great majority of the day sleeping, so I'm uploading the post for X today.

 For X, I got the inspiration from a note that a close friend had attached with my birthday gift. She ended the note with XOXO. I was curious to know about this new kind of  closing salutation  that has fast replaced the old ones like 'Regards, Sincerely.Yours Faithfully.'

 I did a little research and I'm truly amazed by what I found. XOXO means 'Hugs and Kisses' and traces it's origins back to Middle Ages. As people were mostly illiterate they used to sign important documents with an X as it was a simple mark and  a reference to the cross. They would often follow their signature by kissing that X to demonstrate their sincerity. 

 When Jewish immigrants arrived in the U.S, instead of an X they used an O, as they did not want anything  to do with Christ. Combined with the familiar Christian use of an “X” signifying the oath sealed with a kiss, the “O” was likely then adapted to mean hugs.

It's really weird how two seemingly inconspicuous words when strung together mean something else entirely. 

Sometimes, it's Ok to break the rules. Let them go for a toss. Be different. Try it. For a change end you letters, e-mails, notes with XOXO. Pass on the literal Hugs and Kisses. Make someone's day.

 The Sunday Visitor.