XXX
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology 1
Roman numeral: analysable as the reduplication of X (“Roman numeral for ten, 10”).
Numeral
XXX
- The number thirty (30) in Roman numerals.
Alternative forms
- xxx
- XXL, xxl (nonstandard)
Coordinate terms
- Previous: XXIX – twenty-nine (29)
- Next: XXXI – thirty-one (31)
Etymology 2
From the reduplication of X (“a placeholder for any letter or word”).
The currency code was adopted in October 1976 and officially introduced in 1978 with ISO 4217 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Symbol
XXX
- Elongated form of X (“a placeholder for any letter or word”).
- (computing) Used as a placeholder in source code to mark that some work still has to be done.
- (international standards) Reserved ISO 4217 currency code representing 'no currency', to be assigned when a code is required for a transaction that does not involve currency.
- (data) Of a machine-readable passport: unspecified nationality.
See also
- (passport): XXA (“denotes a stateless person”), XXB (“a refugee as defined by the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees”), XXC (“a refugee, but not as defined by the 1951 convention”).
Etymology 3
From English XXX (“hardcore pornography”), from the reduplication of X (“an age rating denoting content suitable for adults”).
Symbol
XXX
- Denotes hardcore pornography or, more generally, pornographic content.
Derived terms
Etymology 4
From the flag or coat of arms of Amsterdam, which features three white or silver Saint Andrew's Crosses.
Symbol
XXX
- (rare) Amsterdam: the capital city of the Netherlands.
See also
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌʔɛks.ʔɛksˈʔɛks/, /ˈtɹɪpəlˈʔɛks/
Audio (Southern England): (file) - (General American) IPA(key): /ɛ.ksɛ.ksɛks/, /ˈtɹɪpəlˈɛks/
Etymology 1
1969 (see quotations). Reduplication of X (“an age rating denoting content suitable for adults”), in reference to the X rating introduced by the Motion Picture Association of America on 1 November 1968 for films containing extreme violence, heavily implied (originally softcore) sex and obscene language. Film posters began to include multiple exes (but skipping two) in order to imply even more extreme, hardcore content, particularly in relation to pornography (although many actually contained the same content as X-rated films). Compare XXXX. The original X rating was superseded by NC-17 in 1990; see also R-18.
Symbol
XXX
- Denotes extreme or hardcore pornography.
See also
Adjective
XXX (comparative more XXX, superlative most XXX)
- Extreme or hardcore pornography; or, less strictly, any pornographic content.
- 1973, William Rotsler, Contemporary Erotic Cinema, Penthouse/Ballantine, page 26:
- Pornography—or "porno," to use the hip term—is intended primarily to sexually arouse the viewer, or reader, or maybe listener. Porno films enjoy graphic realism. These are the XXX films.
- 1995, Paul R. Abramson, Steven D. Pinkerton, With Pleasure: Thoughts on the Nature of Human Sexuality, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, pages 72–73:
- The pornography industry, like all industries, is in the business of making money. Pornography makes a lot of money-from Playboy magazine to XXX videos. This industry would obviously produce, and capitalize upon, pornography for women as well, if a demand existed.
- 2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in The Guardian:
- Other global taboos, such as sex and suicide, manifest themselves widely online, with websites offering suicide guides and Hot XXX Action seconds away at the click of a button. The UK government will come under pressure to block access to pornographic websites this year when a committee of MPs publishes its report on protecting children online.
Synonyms
- pornographic, 18+, adult, dirty, NSFW, vulgar, X-rated; see also Thesaurus:pornographic
Derived terms
- XXXer (rare)
- XXXtreme
Etymology 2
Unknown. Possibly from X, a graphic derivative of the skull and crossbones (“indicator of death”). For other possible explanations, see 
Symbol
XXX
- (obsolete) Extra strong alcohol, particularly ale or (later) any beer.
- 1847, William Howitt, Mary Howitt, “The Flint and Hart Matronship”, in Howitt's Journal of Literature and Popular Progress, volume 1, published by William Lovett, page 13:
- "God bless you, madam!" he said, fervently, "and all like you that keep a bright face through the darkest day. But come, madam, step in a moment, and taste a glass of the XXX ale, and a slice of l'eg's cake; it's yet early."
- 1882, Frederick Sherlock, More Than Conquerors, Home Words Publishing Office, page 79:
- Squash almost without stint! What is squash? Why, squash is squash! Squash in "Poplar" language stood for beer. Not XXX. beer, or Burton beer, but beer for all that. Table beer—school beer—beer of which a great deal might be taken without producing intoxication.
- 1898 June 9, George Harston, Report and Minutes of Evidence Taken Before the Departmental Comm. on Beer Materials, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, page 231:
- It is wonderful how quickly a beer drinker, if he was to get XXX. beer for XXXX. beer, would be able to tell you the difference. Some publicans go in for more profit than others, some will buy the XXX. beer, and perhaps his next neighbour will buy the XXXX. beer; but the man who sells the XXXX. beer gets the business.
- (euphemistic or stylistic) Alcohol.
Usage notes
- Into the late 19th century, more exes were added to indicate a higher strength, superseding the triple XXX as the strongest.
Alternative forms
- XXX.
Adjective
XXX (comparative more XXX, superlative most XXX)
- Extra strong; very high quality.
Etymology 3
Unknown, but compare ex (“to delete; to cross out”, verb).
Verb
XXX (third-person singular simple present XXXes, present participle XXXing, simple past and past participle XXXed)
- (uncommon, transitive) To delete; to cross out, especially to conceal or suggest vulgar language.
See also
Etymology 4
Perhaps from sXe.
Symbol
XXX
- (hardcore punk) Straight edge (lifestyle and subculture).
Related terms
Etymology 5
From having three X chromosomes (and no Y), or as a clipping of XXX syndrome.
Noun
XXX (uncountable)
Synonyms
- 47, XXX
- triple X syndrome
- trisomy X
- XXX syndrome
Etymology 6
Noun
XXX (plural XXXs)
Etymology 7
Adopted by the International Radiotelegraph Convention in 1927.
Noun
XXX (plural XXXs)
- (obsolete) The conventional Morse code call made when in an urgent situation but not in immediate distress.
See also
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