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Word of the week: Clausibility

It's what makes a credible Claus.

December 24, 2019 at 2:49PM
"Signing Santa," played by Larry Valdez, signs in American Sign Language that he'll be watching after a photo session Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, in Seattle. Valdez is one of five Santas who rotate through the Santa Lane at the downtown Nordstrom's and appear daily through Christmas Eve. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The costume helps acheive Santa-ness. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Definition: The quality of being a plausible Santa.

Sample usage: "He's got a white beard and a big gut — I'd say the guy has Clausibility."

Quality: You could also use a variant of the word to describe a fellow telling his kids he's not Santa. That would be "Clausible Deniability."


Interested in other words we've dissected? See more at startribune.com/word.

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about the writer

James Lileks

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James Lileks is a Star Tribune columnist.

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