Well, what other word do you use to teach a kid the alphabet? Xenophoe? Xenomorph?
Xanthan gum
X-ray? X, Professor? Xerox?
Xenon? Xylem? Xenobiology? Xanthoma? Xylocarp? Xiphoid? Xerosis? Xyster? The scrabble favorites xi and xu?
There's loads of cool words that begin with x
Xylophone: fun, colorful, easy for a kid to remember as a cute little instrument
Xenon: An inert gas used in... MRI scans, I think?
X-ray is probably the only other 'X' word with more real-world representation than xylophone, and as pointed out above, that's not quite representative of how the letter is used phonetically in the rest of the language.
Xenomorph, gotta teach them young that sometimes it's best to just nuke the whole thing from orbit.
X-TREME
The name Xavier works because it teaches them to pronounce the letter correctly
The word “xylophone” comes from the Ancient Greek ξύλον (xúlon) meaning “wood” and φωνή (phōnḗ) meaning “sound” or “voice.”
So this instrument with metal bars that you hit with a hammer to produce sound is called a…?
That’s right! A “glockenspiel!”
(I stole this from someone else on the internet.)
Xylophobe
Yeah, vibraphones is where it's at!
It was always an exciting day in band when we got to turn the vibrophone resonator fans on.
Tortoise was the first group i heard using them, led me get into some of vibraphonist Cal Tjader's material and some lesser known vibraphone groups/artists (though Tortoise is much more my speed) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EPqmgY6WTVw
Though she often played marimba, Frank Zappa's percussionist Ruth Underwood was a monster with the mallets as well... Again not vibraphones in this particular example but anyone who digs them may want to see this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Sq0chFjps
As a father of toddlers learning ABCs, I agree. I've seen some weird side steps, like X-ray Fish for an animal themed one, or Xerox--- a company name. Or just straight up Fox because they couldn't think of Xylophone or any other X words.
But, what's the age appropriate alternative?
X formerly known as Twitter?
Xitter!
You could teach them about the wonderful sport of xare
but then you'd have to explain all the basque pelota sportsXavier, Charles
Mr X to the Z Xzibit
Someone going to pop a glockenspiel
Big xylophone is gerrymandering the alphabet.
In cartoons and music geared toward toddlers, I agree.
Where's the sick-ass xylophone solos in heavy metal though?
anti-xylophilism
xylopathia
No it's not enough.
Ita a great sound, it's woody, it's haunting it's under-utilised in rock music.
Me, rubbing my fingers across the metal bars of the instrument: "This isn't a xylophone, you fool! It's a stinking glockenspiel!"
Possibly overrepresented on a couple Frank Zappa albums..
Possibly overrepresentedProminently featured on a couple Frank Zappa albums..Kidding aside, it's all a matter of taste! Luckily with Zappa there are tons of flavors to choose from 😆
I know that's right. We all fuckin love Ruth!
Xerces is a nice alternative
