This question is related, but is not a duplicate, of Why do some words have "X" as a substitute?.
I have noticed that a few nouns can be significantly abbreviated with an "x" at the end. Some examples come to mind:
- Transmit → Tx
- Receive → Rx
- Passengers → Pax
- Tickets → Tix
There are likely others in existence I'm not aware of. Most abbreviated nouns ending in "x" seem to be used only as technical jargon (in this case, Fax, Fax, Transportation, Entertainment, respectively). What is the history of using "x" at the end of a word to severely shorten it? And, does the usage of "x" in this context have a single word to describe it?
Best Answer
The letter "
X" has long been used as a place-holder.It was once standard for illiterate persons to sign legal documents with an "X".
Mathematicians use the letter "x" quite often as a place-holder.
For example, a mathematician might write, "Ɐ x, y, z ∈ ℝ, (x = y) ⋏ (y =z) ⟹ (x = z)"
It is standard to use an "x" to mean, "replace the x with some other string of symbols".
It is a convention.