It might sound strange to us to hear someone laughing like this, since most people's laughter sounds more like "ha ha ha" instead of "ho ho ho". But it makes perfect sense for Santa Claus to laugh this way, because he is a jolly old man!
Santa Claus has a deep voice. He chuckles as he holds his round belly, and the sound comes out as a low-pitched "ho ho ho". When he does this, he is expressing his immense happiness with boisterous laughter.
Santa Claus laughs so much because he is an incredibly happy man. He loves his job, because he gets to spread the joys of gift-giving to all the well-behaved children around the globe. Being able to do what you love all the time will make anyone erupt in laughter at any moment.
Laughing with a "ho ho ho" while he rubs his belly has been Santa's thing for some time, but did he always laugh like that? Well, people's laughter changes all the time. We start laughing like our best friends, because we like them, or our laughter changes naturally as we grow up.
It seems like jolly ol' Saint Nick is the same way. He may have learned to laugh like this from the King of Goblins. The King of Goblins is a character from a Charles Dickens novel called The PickWick Papers, which was published in 1836. In that novel, the mischievous goblin king laughs just like Santa Claus does—with a hearty "ho ho ho". It's highly likely that Santa and the goblin king know each other, because in the novel, the goblin king appeared in front of another character on Christmas Eve.
Later on in 1867, a song about Santa Claus's helper, Kris Kringle, was published in Fresh Laurels for the Sabbath School by William Batchelder Bradbury. In that song, Kris Kringle rides Santa's sleigh and laughs with an "Oh ho, oh ho, ho ho ho ho."
It's possible that Bradbury may have unknowingly been referring to Santa Claus, when talking about Kris Kringle. Kris Kringle is what Santa Claus is known as in some parts of the United States. If the Kris Kringle in the song really is Santa Claus himself, then he's been laughing with a "ho ho ho" since 1867!
He's also been quoted saying "ho ho ho" in stage plays, newspapers, and books from the 1900s on. Sometimes, other characters that star in the stories with him laugh like he does. So, it's a little hard to tell if he picked up his iconic way of laughing from his friends or if his way of laughing rubbed off on others.
However, people rarely heard Santa laugh until 1932, when the animated short film Santa's Workshop came out. Santa Claus had been on the silver screen before then, but film didn't have any sound until 1927. In the short film, we can hear Santa Claus's lively laughter as he gets the toys ready for Christmas Eve. Despite the deep, boisterous laughter, it sounds less like "ho ho ho" and more like "ha ha ha".
Santa seemed to have a more common way of laughing back then, but we see the transformation of his laughter in every movie and show he appears in since then. For example, in the English version of the 1959 film Santa Claus, his laugh is deeper and he always sounds like he's on the verge of going "ho ho ho."
By the time we get to the beloved 1970 film Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, we hear a young Santa Claus laugh with a "ho ho ho" in the movie, though not as often as he would as he grows older. After that, it becomes more common to see Santa laugh in his familiar way every time he appears on TV or in a movie.
FAQs
In truth, "ho ho ho" doesn't mean anything. It's actually just the sound of Santa Claus's laughter. It might sound strange to us to hear someone laughing like this, since most people's laughter sounds more like "ha ha ha" instead of "ho ho ho".
What is the meaning of ho ho ho? ›
or ho ho ho. exclamation. Ho ho is used in writing to represent the sound that people make when they laugh.
What happens if you send a letter to Santa Claus? ›
The letters travel to Santa's U.S. satellite workshop, where they are opened and reviewed, personal information is redacted, and the letters are uploaded to the USPSOperationSanta.com website.
What is Santa's wife's name? ›
The Santa Claus that we know lives in the North Pole. According to some North American sources, his original name was Kris Kringle before he changed his name to Santa Claus. Kris Kringle was a toymaker who married Jessica. Other names found for Mrs Claus are Mary Christmas, Gertrude, and Carol.
Who created Santa Claus? ›
The current depiction of Santa Claus is based on images drawn by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly beginning in 1863. Nast's Santa owed much to the description given in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “'Twas the Night Before Christmas”), first published in 1823.
Why does Santa say "ho ho ho"? ›
When people think of Santa's voice and what he says, we can't help but imagine of his famous catchphrase, "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!" We know what Merry Christmas means, but what does he mean when he says "ho ho ho"? In truth, "ho ho ho" doesn't mean anything. It's actually just the sound of Santa Claus's laughter.
What's Santa's real name? ›
A long time ago, Santa was known as Saint Nicholas by his peers because he was so kind to others and often gave gifts to those in need. Today, some still call Santa “Saint Nicholas” among his many nicknames.
Where do letters to God go? ›
"Dear God" letters are sent to Mail Recovery offices or local churches.
Can you get a letter back from Santa? ›
Here are the steps for your child to get a letter back from Santa: Have your child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole. Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response.
What do postmen do with letters to Santa? ›
A letter simply addressed to "Santa, North Pole" will not go to the postmaster in Anchorage, Alaska. It will end up in a default area for mail without a complete address and then be sorted back into the Operation Santa program, where a postal worker or member of the public can respond.
Santa Claus' phone number
Father Christmas can be reached at 605-313-4000, his official hotline. Those wishing to call Santa can also visit FreeConferenceCall.com/Santa-Hotline to call the Santa Hotline through the official website.
Who is Santa's evil partner? ›
In some Eastern and Western European cultures St. Nicolas, the original Santa Clause, does not roam the night alone. He has his partner Krampus giving out punishment to those who have behaved badly during the year.
How old was Santa whenever he died? ›
Saint Nicholas
| Saint Nicholas of Myra |
|---|
| Born | Traditionally 15 March 270 Patara, Lycia et Pamphylia, Roman Empire |
| Died | Traditionally 6 December 343 (aged 73) Myra, Diocese of Asia, Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | All Christian denominations which venerate saints |
| Major shrine | Basilica di San Nicola, Bari, Italy |
5 more rowsThe legendary names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and (drum roll) Rudolph. Donner is variously spelled Dunder and Donder, and Blitzen is also spelled Blixen and Blixem.
Does co*ke own Santa Claus? ›
It subsequently gave rise to the Christmas myth that co*ke owns the Santa Claus image. But it's not true! Even though Coca-Cola originated some of the character's defining features, the company is not the author and therefore has no copyright on that character.
Is there a dark story about Santa Claus? ›
Everybody knows St. Nicholas as the inspiration for modern-day Santa Clause. But what you may not know is an insanely dark and gory origin story in how he became known as the Father of Christmas. It all has to do with a French butcher (or in an 1150 AD version of the tale, an Innkeeper) who some say craved human flesh.
What does "ho ho" mean in slang? ›
used to represent laughter. Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas! often used in an ironic or sarcastic way.
What does Hey Hey Ho Ho mean? ›
an exclamation of weariness, disappointment, surprise, or happiness.
What is the meaning of hi ho hi ho? ›
used typically to express boredom, weariness, or sadness or sometimes as a cry of encouragement.
What does ho ho ho mean in Chinese? ›
(also ho-ho-ho, /ˌhəʊ.həʊˈhəʊ/ us. /ˌhoʊ.hoʊˈhoʊ/) Add to word list Add to word list. used in writing or sometimes spoken to represent the sound of laughter. （表示笑声）呵呵
