Tuesday, June 30, 2009

"X" Marks the Spot

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. Our Host, Mrs. Nesbitt hails from Great Britain. We started with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. We are now in our second year, round 4! This week's letter is,"X".

Xenon

Xenon is an inert gas whose "name is from the Greek word ξένον [xenon], neuter singular form of ξένος [xenos], meaning 'foreign(er)', 'strange(r)', or 'guest'. In 1902, it's discoverer, Ramsey, estimated the proportion of xenon in the Earth's atmosphere as one part in 20 million." Suffice it to say that its natural occurrence is RARE.

"In a gas-filled tube, xenon emits a blue or lavenderish glow when the gas is excited by electrical discharge. Xenon emits a band of emission lines that span the visual spectrum, but the most intense lines occur in the region of blue light, which produces the coloration."

Thanks to Wikipedia for this lovely image and information. You can read up on more obscurity on Xenon here.

Xray

A form of electromagnetic radiation. Well, you all knew that, didn't you? If you are one of those knowledge hungry folks, find out more about it here.

I'll bet more than 50% of us ABCer's will have xray listed as our word! This is from my stash of xray films that I have (I will not disclose how I acquired them).

Xanandu

It's been a Broadway play, but I also know it as an art gallery in Scottsdale, AZ. I just took a webinar with them this past Saturday. It is a high end gallery that is very successful in spite of the fact that there are 60 other art galleries on the same street that they are on.

Xenophile

I'll bet you never gave it a thought as to what a xenophile might look like! The definition is listed as: "A person attracted to that which is foreign, especially to foreign peoples, manners, or cultures." I almost got stumped as to, "what image would I use with this word?" Then I thought of Marco Polo, the explorer. Most certainly a xenophile, don't you think? His explorations changed the world forever.

So, there you have it, folks. "X" marks the spot. You didn't need a treasure map as all the treasures were unearthed here!

21 comments:

Janie said...

Xcellent X's!
I especially like that you chose Marco Polo as your Xenophile.

Rune Eide said...

I fell for that picture of Marco Polo - really eXcellent!

Dina said...

Good ones, and a bunch of them.

I considered posting an X ray, but the only ones I have are my mammograms. LOL, didn't know how that would go over in mixed company.

Shalom to you.

studioJudith said...

X cellent, Indeed, Miss Paula!
I didn't know I was a Xenophile ... .

Carol said...

You came up with great X's...I could hardly think of one...great info also

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Janie:Befitting, don't you think? I never thought of him that way until I started to think about that word, xenophile and I was determined to use it!
Dina: I've posted MY mammogram back in Oct. 2007. I figure it's just an xray and perhaps it might encourage one who needs to but hasn't gotten a mammogram done. Breast cancer is 99% curable if caught early. Therefore, no one these days should be dying from breast cancer. But, they do. So sad. So, I say, go for it!

moongipsies said...

great post. Love xenophile .. who knew ?!

photowannabe said...

My goodness, this is such a well researched and interesting post.
Fascinating choices.

Leslie: said...

Lots of great X's today! I almost did Xanadu myself, but chose something else. You'll have to drop by to see. lol

d smith kaich jones said...

Not only had I no idea what a xenophile might look like, I had no idea what one was! LOL!

:) Debi

Jane Hards Photography said...

Xcellent. Last round of the ABC I had the word xenodochial which is related to your last x. Means friendly to strangers.

Beverley Baird said...

X-cellent ideas for X!

Rose said...

I'm very impressed you came up with so many X's! I visit Phoenix occasionally to see my daughter; I'll have to look for Xanadu there. On behalf of the ABC team, thanks for such a great post!

Tumblewords: said...

Xcellent X's. That consonant's a tough one...

Roger Owen Green said...

So many are xenophobes that I'm glad you went positive.

mrsnesbitt said...

Wow! What an informative and interesting post. Yes X is an obscure one but as usual intelligent creative responses!

Q said...

Fun x's!
I enjoyed each of them.
I am enjoying all the different x post today.
Sherry

Liv said...

You are good. All those x's!
Good post!

Joy said...

Gosh Marco Polo is ready for trouble with his weaponry. Interesting words for your X.
Thank you for your comments. THAHN is always my number one film, I could watch it on a loop. Yes I like your choice of Babette's Feast, though its a long time since I saw it. Interesting connection is that they are both adaptations of books, that I have never read. LOL. Glad to meet another film enthusiast.

k said...

Xenophile!! I've heard of xenophobe, of course, but xenophile is so much friendlier!

Excellent choices for X! I have an x-ray on my post this week, but it is my own! LOL!

jay said...

That last comment was me - went through by mistake before I was finished!

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