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 (‹See Tfd›Greek: Χριστός, translit. 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, Church of England, and Episcopalian[6] liturgical use of various forms of chi-rho monogram. 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)