Why is Santa Claus called Santa Claus?
1773 (as St. A Claus, in “New York Gazette”), Amer.Eng., from dialectal Du. Sante Klaas, from M.Du. Sinter Niklaas “Saint Nicholas,” bishop of Asia Minor who became a patron saint for children. Now a worldwide phenomenon (e.g. Japanese santakurosu). http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term… The personification of the spirit of Christmas, usually represented as a jolly fat old man with a white beard and a red suit, who brings gifts to good children on Christmas Eve. [Probably alteration of Dutch Sinterklaas, from Middle Dutch Sinterclaes, St. Nicholas : sint, saint (from Middle Dutch, from Old French saint; see saint) + heer, lord; see mynheer + claes (short for Niclaes, Nicholas).] * Birthplace: The North Pole * Best Known As: Jolly toy-delivering Christmas figure Also known as: St. Nicholas; Kris Kringle; Father Christmas Santa Claus is the mythical figure who delivers toys to children around the world
