"Ho ho ho" is a textual rendition of a particular type of deep-throated laughter/laugh or chuckle, most associated with Santa Claus. The laughter of Santa Claus has long been an important attribute by which the character is identified, but it also does not appear in many non-English-speaking countries. The traditional Christmas poem A Visit from St. Nicholas relates that Santa has: . . . a little round bellyThat shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly