Google: People Also Ask

if you ask me these stains can be quite mysterious, and they always are going to be there if the mattress is old enough

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What are the brown stains on my mattress?

Common stains from spills, body oils, or other liquids can cause discoloration. Over time, sweat, urine, and other bodily fluids can seep into the mattress, leading to yellow or brownish stains. Plus, the accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris can give the mattress a dingy appearance.

this is one of these where, when you get the short answer at least, you still don't know the answer

I might check out the NASA link later

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how does an atomic clock work?

In an atomic clock, the frequency of the quartz oscillator is transformed into a frequency that is applied to a collection of atoms. If the derived frequency is correct, it will cause many electrons in the atoms to change energy levels. If the frequency is incorrect, far fewer electrons will jump

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/tech-demonstration/deep-space-atomic-clock/what-is-an-atomic-clock/
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What makes atomic clocks so accurate?

New type of atomic clock keeps time even more precisely | MIT ...
Atomic clocks are the most precise timekeepers in the world. These exquisite instruments use lasers to measure the vibrations of atoms, which oscillate at a constant frequency, like many microscopic pendulums swinging in sync.Dec 16, 2020

What were Venter and Collins known for?

Sequencing Human Genome: the Contributions of Francis Collins and Craig Venter. How did it become possible to sequence the 3 billion base pairs in the human genome? More than a quarter of a century's worth of work from hundreds of scientists made such projects possible.
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Did Venter create life?

Scientists have created the world's first synthetic life form in a landmark experiment that paves the way for designer organisms that are built rather than evolved. May 20, 2010

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/may/20/craig-venter-synthetic-life-form

Quote:

The term "Xmas" is a common abbreviation of the word "Christmas". The 'X' comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós, which became Christ in English¹. The term's usage dates back to the 16th century¹. In English, "X" was first used as a scribal abbreviation for "Christ" in 1100; "X'temmas" is attested in 1551, and "Xmas" in 1721¹. An earlier version, X'temmas, dates to 1551¹. Around 1100 the term was written as Xp̄es mæsse in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle¹. Despite its ancient and respectful use, the term Xmas is often deprecated by modern style guides¹. It is considered informal and should be restricted to contexts where concision is valued, such as headlines and greeting cards¹.

I can see why people don't like the Xmas abbreviation today, in fact it's kind of funny that back in, what? 19th century, early 20th? the use of X evidently had no negative connotation

I certainly like to abbreviate the word and no other common abbreviation has come about! a google search brings up nothing else besides Xmas. Someone says you can use Yule, but I dunno

I always thought of the 'X' as the cross.

Quote: DoubleGold

I always thought of the 'X' as the cross.

it was for St. Andrew

Quote: odiousgambit

it was for St. Andrew

That's pretty good. :)

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St. Andrew the Apostle
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Per Christian tradition, Andrew went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in Patras. He was bound, rather than nailed, to a cross, as is described in the Acts of Andrew. He was crucified on a cross form known as "crux decussata," which is an X-shaped cross or a "saltire." Today this is commonly referred to as "St. Andrew's Cross." It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself "unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus."
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https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=109

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the association with Scotland seems to be arbitrary

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Why is St Andrew associated with Scotland?

Having Saint Andrew as Scotland's patron saint gave the country several advantages: because he was the brother of Saint Peter, founder of the Church, the Scots were able to appeal to the Pope in 1320 (The Declaration of Arbroath) for protection against the attempts of English kings to conquer the Scots.

Might have to look deeper.

For example, Joseph of Arimathea was known to visit England.


Another place I'd look, would be the crown of England's lineage passing through Ireland, Scotland, and then England.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lia_F%C3%A1il