2006-09-12 08:54:09 · 11 answers · asked by answers999 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santy, or simply Santa is a gift-giving figure in various cultures who distributes presents to children, traditionally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to the Santa Claus character. The popular American form Santa Claus originated as a mispronounciation of Dutch Sinterklaas, which is a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas (Saint Nicholas).
Father Christmas is a well-loved figure in many countries and predates the "Santa Claus" character. Many little children are led to believe that Santa Claus is real. "Father Christmas" is similar in many ways, though the two have quite different origins. Using 'santa' in places that predominantly call him 'Father Christmas' is often viewed as an Americanism and is quite rare, although they are generally regarded as the same character. Father Christmas is also present instead of "Santa" in Albania ("Babadimri"), Armenia ("Gaghant Baba"), Denmark ("Julemanden"), Italy ("Babbo Natale"), Lithuania ("Kalėdų Senelis"), Brazil ("Papai Noel"), Czech Republic ("Ježíšek"), Poland ("Święty Mikołaj"), Portugal ("Pai Natal"), Romania ("Moş Crăciun"), Germany ("Weihnachtsmann" or "Nikolaus"), Scottish Highlands ("Daidaín na Nollaig"), France and French Canada ("Le Père Noël"), Ireland ("Daidí na Nollaig"), Finland ("Joulupukki"), Norway ("Julenissen"), Sweden ("Jultomten"), Bulgaria ("Dyado Koleda"), Turkey ("Noel Baba"), Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Deda Mraz"), Spain and Mexico ("Papá Noel"), Afghanistan ("Baba Chaghaloo"), Iraq and South Africa ("Goosaleh") Chile (Viejito Pascuero), Egypt ("Papa Noël").
2006-09-12 09:54:39 · answer #1 · answered by Patricia Lidia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was a man of means long ago who decided to deliver gifts to the doorsteps of poor children in his community on Christmas Eve. People heard about him and decided to do the same for their children and then someone made up the story of Santa Claus and that snowballed into what we have today.
2006-09-12 19:25:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claus is a fictitious character that someone made up.
2006-09-12 15:59:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was Santa Claus until one of my kids friends told him he doesn't exist...
2006-09-12 16:00:29 · answer #4 · answered by sierrapappabravo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw Santa Claus last week but it turned out to be my drunk neighbor again.
2006-09-12 21:24:54 · answer #5 · answered by freetodervish 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is a man that used to give children toys and things at christmas time, but now is a fable passed on from each generation. Parents, grandparents, and etc tell the kids about and giving gifts to each other.
2006-09-12 21:46:37 · answer #6 · answered by Jamie M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
usually a dirty old man who likes to feel-up little kids, wears a baggy red & white costume, and sits at a garish looking chair in shopping malls usually in the first three weeks before christmas.
I remember a few different ones in other malls, while I was growing up. A few liked petting, others liked to poke and prod a lot.
**gets the willies thinking about it **
2006-09-12 16:02:53 · answer #7 · answered by somber_pieces 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a really bad joke
2006-09-12 15:59:46 · answer #8 · answered by ♥ terry g ♥ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
theres no such thing stupid! same thing with the toothfairy, easter bunny, or whatever else
2006-09-12 15:57:19 · answer #9 · answered by VaNilLa_Latte X0 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ur dady honey!
2006-09-12 15:59:43 · answer #10 · answered by p681989 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋