English word origin

Etymology of XXX

6 source sectionsExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗

In this entry · 6 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗

symbol

Denotes extreme or hardcore pornography.

adj

Extreme or hardcore pornography; or, less strictly, any pornographic content.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

1969 (see quotations). Reduplication of X (“an age rating denoting content suitable for adults”), in reference to the X rating introduced by the Motion Picture Association of America on 1 November 1968 for films containing extreme violence, heavily implied (originally softcore) sex and obscene language. Film posters began to include multiple exes (but skipping two) in order to imply even more extreme, hardcore content, particularly in relation to pornography (although many actually contained the same content as X-rated films). Compare XXXX. The original X rating was superseded by NC-17 in 1990; see also R-18.

Inspect preserved source fields

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Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗

symbol

Extra strong alcohol, particularly ale or (later) any beer. · Alcohol.

adj

Extra strong; very high quality.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Unknown. Possibly from X, a graphic derivative of the skull and crossbones (“indicator of death”). For other possible explanations, see Beer measurement § Saltire marks on WikipediaWikipedia .

Inspect preserved source fields

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Source etymology 3

Original entry ↗

verb

To delete; to cross out, especially to conceal or suggest vulgar language.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Unknown, but compare ex (“to delete; to cross out”, verb).

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Source etymology 4

Original entry ↗

symbol

Straight edge (lifestyle and subculture).

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Perhaps from sXe.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Source etymology 5

Original entry ↗

noun

Triple X syndrome.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From having three X chromosomes (and no Y), or as a clipping of XXX syndrome.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Source etymology 7

Original entry ↗

noun

The conventional Morse code call made when in an urgent situation but not in immediate distress.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Adopted by the International Radiotelegraph Convention in 1927.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

An older meaning does not determine what a word must mean today. Follow the sources, preserve disagreements, and keep ancestry separate from interpretation.

Contribute located evidence for XXX →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger

Machine-source provenance

Source SHA-256: 5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run: 73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID: w-WFhY