The true story behind who put the ‘x’ in Xmas!

The Times of India ^ | Dec 23, 2015 | Ketakee Gondane

[Crazieman]

I do get the urge to berate people who mistake holly for mistletoe. Especially in artwork.

[Malsua]

but few people know why 'x' is a good substitute for 'Christ' in 'Christmas'

I just figured it was part of the war on Christmas. Let's just X out, as in delete Christ from the Holiday. It's not a notation I use and haven't in many years now.

[PROCON]

I’ve heard this before but still write “Christmas” and chide folks who don’t.

[XEHRpa]

>>>(called ‘Sinterklaas’ in Dutch, which was later watered down to ‘Santa Claus’

I always suspected (and still do) that it comes from the German “Sankt Ni-klaus”, which when spoken at normal speed, sounds almost like “santni claus.”

[crusty old prospector]

How about we start calling the bogus holiday “X-zaa”?

[rockrr]

Sounds like a skin disease ;’}

[Talisker]

While the jolly version of Father Christmas, who gives presents to good kids, is almost universally accepted, many cultures to this day have folklore about his evil twin who punishes the bad children.

[ncpatriot]

I was told the “x” stood for the Cross.

[Mr. Blond]

But, but...the pagans!

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Don’t care about what an ancient language might mean. An “X” is not “Christ”.

[tumblindice]

The X is from the Greek letter Chi which is the first letter of the Greek word for ‘Christ.’
If it’s “an attempt to take Christ out of Christmas”, it’s been going on since the 16th century in that its first usage “Xmas” was about the time of Henry VIII.
You noobs are as thick as ticks tonight. Lighten up. Xmas is over.

[flaglady47]

“While the jolly version of Father Christmas, who gives presents to good kids, is almost universally accepted, many cultures to this day have folklore about his evil twin who punishes the bad children.”

This must be where getting a lump of coal in your stocking comes from, Santa’s evil twin.

[Pelham]

Μερρι Χριστμας

[Rebelbase]

Yeah, but how many boxes to you have in the attic with an X on them?

[Nailbiter]

I always thought the Xmas thing was Hallmark saving on ink, back when ink was a consideration

[Liberty Valance]

Well just dang. And all this time I thought it was we in the advertising business doing our usual short hand.

[Malsua]

noobs

Noob? LOL. If I'm a noobie, you're a super noobie.

[IncPen]

I always thought it was laziness, or disrespect, of the correspondent. Who knew?

[IncPen]

Noobs?