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Xmas (also X-mas) is a common abbreviation of the word Christmas. It is sometimes pronounced /ˈɛksməs/, but Xmas, and variants such as Xtemass, originated as handwriting abbreviations for the typical pronunciation /ˈkrɪsməs/. The 'X' comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós (Ancient Greek: Χριστός, romanized: Khristós, lit. 'anointed, covered in oil'), which became Christ in English.[1] The suffix -mas is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass.[2][3]
There is a common misconception that the word Xmas stems from a secularizing tendency to de-emphasize the religious tradition of Christmas,[4][5] by taking the 'Christ' out of "Christmas". Nevertheless, the term's usage dates back to the 16th century, and corresponds to Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican liturgical use of various forms of chi-rho monogram.[6] In English, "X" was first used as a scribal abbreviation for "Christ" in 1100; "X'temmas" is attested in 1551, and "Xmas" in 1721.[7]
- ^ "X n. 10.". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
- ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Liturgy of the Mass". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ Restad, Penne L. (1996-12-05). "1". Christmas in America: A History. Oxford University Press. p. 03. ISBN 978-0-19-992358-8.
- ^ O'Conner, Patricia T.; Kellerman, Stewart (2009). Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language. New York: Random House. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-4000-6660-5.
The usual suggestion is that 'Xmas' is [...] an attempt by the ungodly to x-out Jesus and banish religion from the holiday.
- ^ Burnam, Tom (1986). Dictionary of Misinformation. Perennial Library. p. 296. ISBN 978-0-06-091315-1.
- ^ "Crucifix - Catholic forms of religious expression - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. "X" (1921 edition) and "Xmas" (Third Edition, 2020)