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From: tesielin@calum.csclub.uwaterloo.ca (Todd Sieling)
Subject: Re: Meaning and History of 'X'
Sender: news@undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca (news spool owner)
Message-ID: <4s8a21$q1t@calum.csclub.uwaterloo.ca>
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 1996 13:58:25 GMT
Lines: 27
References: <DuBEIu.34x.0.-s@cs.vu.nl> <6416-1007961421350001@news.bayarea.net>
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Organization: University of Waterloo Computer Science Club

In article <6416-1007961421350001@news.bayarea.net>,
46426 <6416@35216.com> wrote:
>In article <DuBEIu.34x.0.-s@cs.vu.nl>, jfmburg@cs.vu.nl (JFM Burg) wrote:
>
>> Does anyone know or has an opinion about the use of the 'X' in e.g.:
>> 
>>         - planet X      (possible tenth planet of our solar system)
>>         - agent X       (secret agent)
>>         - generation X  (book about 'lost' generation of the 80's (?)
>>                          author: D. Coupland)
>>         - XL            (extra large)
>>         - X-files       (FBI's secret files)
>>         - X factor      (Iron Maiden's last album)
>> 
>> 
>> Next to X=ten and X=extra, the 'X' expresses something mysterious or
>> secret. Does anyone know other examples?
>
There is, of course, a number of Marvel comics featuring the X-Men, where
the X designates the mutation in genetic code that gives superhuman powers
to the humans and villians of the comics.  One of the premier characters is
even known as Professor X (short for Xavier). What does this mean?  Who knows,
but the X is prominant in the various comic titles (X-Men, X-Factor, X-Force,
Generation X...).
Todd


