Why does XLAT mean 'translate'?












1















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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  • I believe it may derive from a computer programme of that name.

    – WS2
    4 hours ago






  • 3





    Welcome 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
    4 hours ago


















1















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?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Star Light is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • I believe it may derive from a computer programme of that name.

    – WS2
    4 hours ago






  • 3





    Welcome 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
    4 hours ago
















1












1








1








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?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Star Light is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












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?







abbreviations computing






share|improve this question







New contributor




Star Light is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




Star Light is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









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asked 4 hours ago









Star LightStar Light

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Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • I believe it may derive from a computer programme of that name.

    – WS2
    4 hours ago






  • 3





    Welcome 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
    4 hours ago





















  • I believe it may derive from a computer programme of that name.

    – WS2
    4 hours ago






  • 3





    Welcome 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
    4 hours ago



















I believe it may derive from a computer programme of that name.

– WS2
4 hours ago





I believe it may derive from a computer programme of that name.

– WS2
4 hours ago




3




3





Welcome 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
4 hours ago







Welcome 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
4 hours ago












1 Answer
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6














'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 is used as an abbreviate of 'translate'. XFER is similarly used as an abbreviation of transfer.






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  • I 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
    3 hours ago











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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









6














'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 is used as an abbreviate of 'translate'. XFER is similarly used as an abbreviation of transfer.






share|improve this answer
























  • I 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
    3 hours ago
















6














'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 is used as an abbreviate of 'translate'. XFER is similarly used as an abbreviation of transfer.






share|improve this answer
























  • I 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
    3 hours ago














6












6








6







'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 is used as an abbreviate of 'translate'. XFER is similarly used as an abbreviation of transfer.






share|improve this answer













'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 is used as an abbreviate of 'translate'. XFER is similarly used as an abbreviation of transfer.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 4 hours ago









DJClayworthDJClayworth

10.7k12333




10.7k12333













  • I 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
    3 hours ago



















  • I 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
    3 hours ago

















I 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
3 hours ago





I 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
3 hours ago










Star Light is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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