It is said that XLAT is an abbr of translate. But I don't understand how come it ends up like that? There is no site on internet would explain it but they're all agree that XLAT is shorten of translate. I can get that LAT is in the end part of translate (LATe) but what about the X?
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Star Light
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I believe it may derive from a computer programme of that name. – WS2 Feb 19 '19 at 23:06
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7Welcome to EL&U. See Why can “trans” be replaced with an x? In short, X has been used as an abbreviation for cross (e.g. RR XING) for some time because it is the same basic shape as all manner of cross symbols (e.g. × ✕ ╳ ✖ + ✠ ✛ ☩ ✚). Since trans- means to be across from something, to be at a distance to be crossed, and like meanings, abbreviating trans- as X has also taken hold especially in technical spheres, e.g. XFER, XMIT. – choster Feb 19 '19 at 23:06
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'Trans' is a prefix meaning 'cross', as in 'Trans-siberian Express' or 'Trans-continental railway'.
X is used as an abbreviation of 'cross', thanks to its resemblance to a cross, and despite the shift in meanings of 'cross'.
So XLATE or XLAT is used as an abbreviate of 'translate'. XFER is similarly used as an abbreviation of transfer.
DJClayworth
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1I quite agree, though I was struggling to find any evidence. X is certainly used in plant breeding for a cross. See under 'hybrid' in BBC Gardening and xlation is used to mean "translation" in a variety of contexts, as an online search shows. The Free Dictionary redirects me to 'translation' without actually mentioning why! – David Robinson Feb 19 '19 at 23:27
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1Associative xconnections of the brain xmografes trans to x in these ecrossulent abbreviations ? – visibleman Feb 20 '19 at 07:04
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2x is also used as a generic word-shortener (consider for example tx for transmit and rx for receive). Is there any evidence that this case was a specific relationship between x and trans rather than just a generic shortening? – Peter Green Feb 20 '19 at 12:38
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@PeterGreen it's not a generic word shortener at all. The example of Tx/Rx is an outlier, and it seems there's no agreement on why they were chosen – OrangeDog Feb 20 '19 at 15:03
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@aloisdg Weirdly, yes, kind of. X is also used as an abbreviation for Christ, because of the association of Christ with The Cross. – DJClayworth Feb 20 '19 at 15:06
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@OrangeDog Consider also Morse shorthand such as DX for distance, WX for weather report. Maybe originally from RX (prescription), the origin of which is similarly disputed. – Spehro Pefhany Feb 20 '19 at 15:13
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@SpehroPefhany Yes, those are all mentioned at those links. The etymology of RX (prescription) is not at all disputed though. – OrangeDog Feb 20 '19 at 15:14
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