Kris Kringle

/ˌkɹɪs ˈkɹɪŋɡ(ə)l/ · name

Meaning

Synonym of Christkind (“a personification of the baby Jesus who, in German-speaking parts of Europe, takes the place of Santa Claus in bringing gifts to people at Christmastime”).
Synonym of Santa Claus.
Synonym of secret Santa (“a Christmas tradition where a group of people give anonymous gifts to each other, with each person randomly selected to give a gift to one other person; a person who anonymously gives a present to another in such a gift exchange”).
A gift given in a Kris Kringle or secret Santa gift exchange.

Etymology / origin

Borrowed in a modified form from Pennsylvania German Christ-kinkle, from German Christkindl (“(dialectal diminutive) Christ Child”), Christkind (“Christ Child”), from Christ (“Christ”) + Kindl (dialectal diminutive), Kind (“child”).

Christkindl(German)→
Christ-kinkle(pdc)→
Kris Kringle (English)
Relations: bor, der

Related words

Christ-kinkle(pdc)Christkindl(German)

Sources

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