382: saint nick Dec 25, 2015

Merry Christmas. Last year Word Facts covered the word 'Christmas'–check that out if you haven't seen it already–this year, 'Santa Claus'. 'Santa Claus', often (and nonsensically) called 'Santa' comes from the Dutch, 'Sante Klaas' or 'SinterKlaas' i.e. Saint Klaus. Saint Nicholas was originally from Lycia, but by the time that the cult reached Holland, the first syllable had been forsaken, which is why the two names differ.