Welcome to the A to Z Challenge!

Finding these little French and American words has not exactly been a piece of cake or pas du gâteau in French.

I knew from the beginning that when letter X and I would cross paths I would meet the heck of a challenge.

So for today’s letter X, instead of posting about an identical English or French word that carries a different meaning whether it’s used in the USA or in France, I’ll give you one term that conveys the exact same meaning in both countries.

Used in France and in the USA, my two favorite homes on earth, this term is also used in other countries around the world, proof that some words have the power to unite us.

XOXO

XOXO is a casual term used at the end of a letter, email, or text to express hugs and kisses to friends or family members. Probably good to avoid in business.

There is controversy as to which letter (‘O’ or ‘X‘) represents which action (‘hug’ or ‘kiss’).

Do we really care if X or O represents the arms or the mouth as long as we send each other hugs and kisses?

In addition XOXO is also an American brand of clothes and accessories for young women and children.

And XOXO is also short for eXtensible Open XHTML Outlines. Not as cute and sweet as hugs and kisses, but very useful, though. Ask any high tech person in your life for more details…

Do you know of a French or English word starting with the letter X that has a different meaning whether it’s used in France or the USA?

Connaissez-vous un mot français ou anglais commençant par la lettre X qui a un sens différent selon qu’il soit utilisé en France ou aux Etats Unis?

See you tomorrow with the letter Y