Watch Your Language

(Fox News) - A few weeks ago we told you that an Australian company booking Santas for shopping centers told the men not to use "ho-ho-ho" because it could offend women — since "ho" is an American slang term for prostitute. Now it seems one rebellious Santa has been sacked.

Media reports say 70-year-old John Oakes got the heave-ho for "ho-ho-ho"-ing at a department store in the northeastern city of Cairns. He says the manager told him "ho-ho-ho" was not appropriate. He says she also said he was not supposed to sing Jingle Bells.

A spokesman for the store tells the London Daily Mail that Oakes was canned for, "his attitude." Says the sacked Santa, "they're trying to kill the spirit of Christmas."