X is for X-Ray & Xylophone

X marks the spot (in cake!)

I only know two words that start with X, as it turns out. I am the mother of two small children so I have had years of experience with “X is for x-ray” and “x is for xylophone” but beyond that, my X knowledge is pretty pitiful. Well, to be fair to myself, I have a passing knowledge of xanthan gum (thanks to a friend who’s children have severe food allergies, forcing her to study food chemistry quite extensively) and xylitol (which I think is a sweetener) but I’d be stretching the truth if I said I had ever used these words in a sentence (or even in a game of Scrabble).

As I went through the list of X words I knew, I realized they were actually mostly A and E words. Or proper names – I can think of quite a few company names starting with X, although many of them are cheater words where the beginning vowel has been dropped for dramatic effect (think Xtra or Xtreme). My family owned an office supply store and copy shop so I am quite familiar with Xerox and X-Acto knives.

I learned from the Backyardigans that X is for X marks the spot. Yep.

Oh wait, I remembered one more. Thank you Orson Scott Card for introducing me to the word xenocide (not a nice word but the Ender books are some of my favorites). Ok, maybe I know more X words that I’ve given myself credit for. And in honor of today, I’m adding xanthophobia (fear of the color yellow) to my vocabulary. Don’t be surprised if it comes up in our next conversation.

Now let’s head out and get some xango for a snack! 

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