|
In medieval times, most people were unable to read
or write. When it came time to sign a document, people who
could not write usually made an "X" mark. Of course, an "X"
is not much of a signature. To add a sense of
commitment, it became customary to kiss the "X" after writing
it.
Kissing the "X" was "performance law," a ritual act that
bound the parties the way legal documents bind us
today. This act, witnessed by the person who wrote the text,
represented a solemn guarantee of the truthfulness of
what was written, and an oath to carry out whatever
obligations were stated in the document.
Over the years, the "X" and the kiss became
interchangeable. Today, people who can read and write
might still add one or more "X" marks to their letters, maybe
with a couple of "O"s thrown in for hugs. |
中世紀
"X"并不能完全代表當作某人的簽名
為了表示正式承諾，人們往往在劃了一個"X"后習慣性地親一下這個符號。
當事人
鄭重地保證
可互換的
免費添加，額外奉送
Example: When I bought the house, I got the carpets and
curtains thrown in.
我買房子的時候免費得到了地毯和窗簾。
擁抱 |
