AUSTRALIA — File this one under mega mucho hyper offensensitivity: Santas working in Australia’s largest city are going to have to scramble for a new way to burst into jolly, belly rolling laughter this holiday season – cuz they’re not allowed to say “ho, ho, ho” anymore.Why would one of the most recognizable word choices in the history of lovable fictional characters suddenly be disallowed? Why would jolly old St. Nick be stripped of his primary mode of joyful communication? Why would Father Christmas’ traditional family value greeting become verboten?

Because somebody somewhere thinks it’s offensive to women; that’s why.

Well, that and the alleged fact that it might scare the kids.

At least that’s what Sydney’s Santas are being told, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Oddly enough, this is one that even child protection advocates are calling stupid.

“Gimme a break,” an exasperated Julie Gale of Kids Free 2B Kids told the Telegraph. “We are talking about little kids who do not understand that ‘ho, ho, ho’ has any other connotation and nor should they.”

A representative for US-based Westaff Santa recruiting agency insists that all of the hullabaloo is “misleading” and insists that each Santa has been encouraged to decide for himself what the best greeting for any situation is.

Nonetheless, the Daily Telegraph reports that all of the Santas it’s spoken with insist that they have been told to welcome visitors with a hearty “Ha, ha, ha!”

Yes, Virginia; there is a Santa — but he ain’t what he used to be.