Xmas

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 (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)

[oed-x-1] "X n. 10.". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.

[2] "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Liturgy of the Mass". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.

[3] Restad, Penne L. (1996-12-05). "1". Christmas in America: A History. Oxford University Press. p. 03. ISBN 978-0-19-992358-8.

[4] 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.

[5] Burnam, Tom (1986). Dictionary of Misinformation. Perennial Library. p. 296. ISBN 978-0-06-091315-1.

[6] "Crucifix - Catholic forms of religious expression - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-12.

[7] Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. "X" (1921 edition) and "Xmas" (Third Edition, 2020)

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