how many alternative names does Santa have?

Question

Hi,I am aware that Santa Clause also has some other names, but I know very little (or nothing) about the "scope" of each particular alternative name.(1) Saint Nicholas, St. Nick -Equally common on either side of the Atlantic?Normally used only by adults?Kids seem to prefer just "Santa" or "Santa Clause"?(2) Kris Kringle -How common is "Kris Kringle" as compared to "Santa"?Is it mostly used by Americans of German descent?(I hear such communities exist say in PA?)Lets take Afro Americans or Latinos for example.Do they ever use "Kris Kringle" for "Santa"?Is "Kris Kringle" common enough in the UK? Australia? NZ?(3) Pelznickel -How common is "Pelznickel " these days?I guess only a small proportion of Americans use "Pelznickel" for "Santa"?Where (in which US states) can this name be heard more often?Is "Pelznickel" common in the UK?(4) According to my Longman, "Father Christmas" is sometimes used for "Santa" in BE.Is "Farther Christmas" ever used in North America?In the UK, what kind of people say "Father Christmas" more often than not? Catholics/Protestants? Elderly people/youth? etc.etc.mus-te

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

MUSCOVITESanta Clause also has some other names

For example, Santa Claus. As far as I know, he's never a grammatical construction.

Everybody I've ever known in the U.S. has used the term Santa Claus (or just Santa). I don't know of any other commonly used names for him here. Saint Nicholas is heard occasionally, but none of the others you mentioned.

CJ

Blue Jay · Answer

In the UK, Father Christmas is very common. Santa Claus is used also. St Nick/Nicholas and Kris Kringle are known, but rarely used, in both the US and UK. I have never heard Pelznickel in either country.

MUSCOVITE · Answer

CalifJimEverybody I've ever known in the U.S. has used the term Santa Claus (or just Santa). I don't know of any other commonly used names for him here. Saint Nicholas is heard occasionally, but none of the others you mentioned.

Thank you CalifJim!
Could you please take a look at http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/a-23-2009-12-10-voa4-83142222/116663.html?

I thought that material was intended for "not very advanced" English learners...

As a career English teacher, do you think it makes sense ( for VOA special English or whoever) to use in their learning materials the language ( i.e.'Pelznickel') that even native speakers are not familiar with (or use it but once in a blue moon

)?

that' why this forum is so valuable............

CalifJim · Answer

MUSCOVITEdo you think it makes sense ( for VOA special English or whoever) to use in their learning materials the language ( i.e.'Pelznickel') that even native speakers are not familiar with (or use it but once in a blue moon)?

I think it's all right to include interesting human interest stories among the materials that English learners read, even if the stories might include information that is new even to native speakers. I don't think those who choose learning materials expect the learner to absorb all the specialized information that may be contained there. The idea is just to allow the learner to practice reading with understanding, which means knowing the hundreds of more commonly used words that also occur in the same articles. It's better to approach such materials for enjoyment rather than serious study. In real life you are not likely to need to know much about Santa, Saint Nick, Pelznickel, Kris Kringle, or any of those characters.

Another factor worth considering is that materials that contain references to other nations and cultures may increase the interest level for those learners who happen to be from those nations. In this specific case, being Russian, you are not the target for the facts concerning Dutch and German, but students from those cultures may find those facts more interesting and motivational in their English-learning experience.

Of course, as you say, you can always ask here if you want further information about what you read elsewhere.

CJ

KJinCali79 · Answer

Santa Claus is the most common the U.S. or simply "Santa." The next most common in my opinion would be Saint Nick or Saint Nicholas. However, for people who celebrate Saint Nicholas Day, which is December 6th, they treat Saint Nicholas as distinct from Santa Claus, though the latter is derived from the former.

I've only ever heard of "Kris Kringle" from old Christmas movies, and have never heard "Pelznickel." We don't use "Father Christmas" either.

As for Latinos in the U.S., if they are using English they will typically say "Santa." If they are using Spanish, and they are from South American countries they will most likely say "Papa Noel", but from Mexico and the Carribean they say "Santa" or "Santa Clos"; and to a lesser extent "San Nicolas."

MUSCOVITE · Answer

CalifJim,
Blue Jay,
KJinCali79,

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

how many alternative names does Santa have?

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