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Politics
Valerie M. Fridland, Professor of Linguistics, University of Nevada, Reno

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

Santa Claus Kris Kringle Saint Nicholas St Nick United States
A 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 St. Nick to Santa to Kris Kringle, it’s a marvel that Rudolph isn’t completely confused about whom exactly he is working for.

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