X, XX, and XXX are signs used by brewers. The single X originally represented the ten shillings excise which beer of a certain quality had to pay, and so became a sign for that quality. Hence the other signs grew up as representing double or triple the strength of X ale.

Among policemen the "X" is a method of arrest used with desperadoes, which consists in getting a firm grasp on the collar, drawing the captive's hand over the holding arm, and pressing the fingers down in a peculiar way, so that the arm can be more easily broken than liberated.

Xmas, an abbreviation for "Christmas." X is the initial letter of the Greek name for Christ, Xplorós, and the coincidence of its cruciform shape led early to its adoption as a figure and symbol of Christ. In the Catacombs X is frequently found to stand for Christ. The earliest Christian artists, when making a representation of the Trinity, would place either a cross or an X beside the Father and the Holy Ghost. But the extension of the symbol to compound or derivative words like Xmas and Xtianity is an affectation which, though sanctioned by long usage, cannot be commended.

Y.

Y, the twenty-fifth letter in the English alphabet, with both a vowel and a consonant value. (See U.) As a vowel it is useless, representing nothing that could not be denoted by i. As a consonant it is a totally different letter of Saxon origin which has merged into the Latin sign. And in the archaic forms ye, yat, etc., it represents a Saxon and Middle English sign for th, and should be pronounced like th in the.

Yankee, a term of dubious etymology and varied uses. The derivation accepted as most plausible by leading authorities makes it a slight corruption of the word " Yengeese," applied to the English by the Northern Indian tribes to whom they first became known,-a meritorious aboriginal attempt to pronounce “English." In Europe the word Yankee means an American from any portion of the United States; in the South it means an inhabitant of the Northern States; and in the North it retains its original specific application to the inhabitants of the New England States.

Z.

Z, the twenty-sixth character in the English alphabet, and the last there, as in the later Roman alphabet. It was the seventh sign in the Phoenician and the sixth in the Grecian system. In America it is usually called "zee," in England "zed." An older name, "izzard," still survives locally.

It has often been noticed that the stage names of female acrobats and circus-riders strangely affect the initial Z. C. G. Leland explains that names like Zazel, Zaniel, Zoe, are all derived from Hebrew or Yiddish words meaning "devil" or "goblin."

Zero, the figure o, which stands for naught in the Arabic notation. From its double capacity of representing nothing as an individual and a decimal multiple when put in the right sort of company, it has afforded lots of fun to the humorist. The sort of fun may be gathered from the French epigram made when La Bruyère was rejected by the Academy:

Quand La Bruyère se présente,
Pourquoi faut-il crier haro?
Pour faire le nombre de quarante
Ne fallait-il pas un zéro ?

("When La Bruyère presented himself, why object? To make up the number forty was not a zero necessary?")

A more elaborate form of the same kind of drollery is presented in the following story. There was at Amadan a celebrated Academy whose first rule was framed in these words: "The members of this Academy shall think much, write little, and be as silent as they can."

A candidate offered himself. He was too late the vacancy had been filled. His merit was recognized, and all lamented their own disappointment in lamenting his. The president asked that the candidate should be introduced.

His simple and modest air was in his favor. The president rose and presented him with a cup of pure water, so full that a single drop more would have made it overflow. Not a word did he add to this emblematical hint, but his countenance betrayed his emotion.

The candidate understood that he could not be received because the number was complete. But, casting about him for a method of reply, he observed at his feet a rose. Picking it up, he detached a single petal, which he laid so gently on the surface of the water that not a drop escaped. The applause was universal. Every one recognized that he meant to imply that a supernumerary member would displace nothing, and would make no essential difference in the rule they had prescribed. He was at once presented with the register whereon successful candidates wrote their names. He wrote his name; then, as a delicate way of presenting thanks, he wrote on the slate the figures 100, representing the number of his new associates; then, putting a cipher before the 1, he wrote, "Their value will be the same,-0100." The courteous and ingenious president was not to be baffled. He took the slate in his turn, substituted the figure 1 for the added zero, and wrote, "They will have eleven times the value they had,-1100."

Zouaves, a famous French military corps. The word is corrupted from Zouaoua, a terrible welter of vowels, proudly borne as the name of a warlike Kabyle tribe in Africa. These had always maintained a practical independence. They made excellent mercenaries, selling valor and fidelity to their buyers at reasonable market rates. The first levy of Zouaouas was raised in 1830, by General Clausel. It consisted of two battalions, and was originally composed of native African soldiers, with French officers and soldiers. Gradually roving adventurers from Paris and other large cities crowded out the native soldiers. Finally all the European members of the corps other than French were removed from the Zouaves and were formed into the Foreign Legion. Later still, at the summons of Abd-el-Kader, large numbers of the native Zouaves deserted from the colors and joined the ranks of their compatriots; in consequence of which the proportion of Frenchmen in the corps was greatly increased. In 1841 a third battalion was raised, the corps was entirely remodelled, and it was decreed that thereafter there should be only one company of African natives in each battalion. From that time even that reduced proportion of natives steadily decreased, until in the end the Zouaves consisted of Frenchmen only.

INDEX OF CROSS-REFERENCES.