X is for Xenia

X is the only letter not covered in the Dictionary of Newfoundland English so I am being creative.

Xenia (Greek: ξενία, xenía) is the Greek word for "foreign" or "strange"/"stranger", or of foreign origin. The concept of hospitality, or generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home is "philoxenia". The word "philos" meaning "friend" and the word "xenia" meaning "stranger", thus "friend of the stranger". It is often translated as "guest-friendship" (or "ritualized friendship") because the rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest and host.
The Greek god Zeus sometimes referred to as Zeus Xenios, meaning he was god of, among other things, travelers. This created a particular religious obligation to be hospitable to travelers, but guests also had responsibilities, beyond reciprocating hospitality.

Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders abound in hospitality so Xenia and its prefix is appropriate.

Example (1): In the very first summer my family and I were in Newfoundland, we were all outside one night admiring the bowl of stars overhead when shouts from across the street invited us to a houseparty. When the hosts learned it was my birthday their joy knew no bounds.

Example (2): On the first week of moving here, at the shop, seeing my disappointment at discovering there were no paper coffee filters, the owner insisted on going to her house and bringing me back some of hers.

Example (3): At a restaurant, reading my book as I love to do, one of the diners at a large convivial table came over and invited me to join the happy group. We've all been friends – well more like family - since.

I could go on. And on.

I recommend you go to THIS SITE and play one of the short clips.

Today's post brought to you by the letter X NOT from The Dictionary of Newfoundland English in partnership with the rest of the alphabet beginning here.