Posted on 12/03/2004 7:54:47 AM PST by rpellegrini
Who invented "X"mas? Why not C'mas, instead? My guess is that it was some twisted lefty from the heyday of communism in America. Someone who thought it important to X out Christ, not simply abbreviate.
Seeing that it is not a term that I allow to be used in my home, I don't really care who came up with it.
Actually, from what I recall reading years ago, X actually meant Christ. Anyone else hear that?
Um, today is the heyday of Communism in America, not the fifties or sixties.
Some say the X has religious meaning but I prefer CHRISTMAS!
Umm...X is an ancient greek symbol for Christ, as ten people will have probably told you by the time I finish typing this.
Xmas
SYLLABICATION: X·mas
PRONUNCIATION: krsms, ksms
NOUN: Christmas.
ETYMOLOGY: From X, the Greek letter chi, first letter of Greek Khrstos, Christ. See Christ.
USAGE NOTE: Xmas has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where the X represents a Greek chi, the first letter of , “Christ.” In this use it is parallel to other forms like Xtian, “Christian.” But people unaware of the Greek origin of this X often mistakenly interpret Xmas as an informal shortening pronounced (ksms). Many therefore frown upon the term Xmas because it seems to them a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas.
I think you are wrong. "X" is a completely appropriate way to shorten the word and it has nothing to do with taking Christ out of Christmas.
X here actually refers to the Greek letter "chi", which is a shorthand way of writing Christ (Christos). It also looks like a Cross, another reference to Christianity.
X is the symbol of Christ in Greek.
From the American Heritage Dictionary
I did.
Regards,
Mr. X
For once I bothered to read the thread before being one of the ten.
In medical terminology X can mean 'all the rest' such as in Hx means history on your medical chart.
Someone named Malcolm?
Thanks for saving me the typing time.
Not even close, but very amusing.
Gosh, I was slow!
Here's the real explanation. The use of the letter "X" to abbreviate the name of Christ is very old. Nothing sinister in the abbreviation.
Xmas
SYLLABICATION: X·mas
PRONUNCIATION: krsms, ksms
NOUN: Christmas.
ETYMOLOGY: From X, the Greek letter chi, first letter of Greek Khrstos, Christ. See Christ.
USAGE NOTE: Xmas has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where the X represents a Greek chi, the first letter of , “Christ.” In this use it is parallel to other forms like Xtian, “Christian.” But people unaware of the Greek origin of this X often mistakenly interpret Xmas as an informal shortening pronounced (ksms). Many therefore frown upon the term Xmas because it seems to them a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas.
As a matter of fact, I too suspect many use it in order to take Christ out of Christmas.
Google is your friend.
I wonder if it has anything to do with a prohibition on fully spelling out G_d as some people do. I'd like to know any biblical references pertaining to that - gotta have a "controlling legal authority", don't cha know? If there is a basis for not spelling out G_d, then one could easily make the leap that "X" would also be appropriate for His Son. Personally, I spell them out.
You can't hide forever, you know.
Google brought up this, from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
Xmas
SYLLABICATION: X·mas
PRONUNCIATION: krsms, ksms
NOUN: Christmas.
ETYMOLOGY: From X, the Greek letter chi, first letter of Greek Khrstos, Christ.
USAGE NOTE: Xmas has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where the X represents a Greek chi, the first letter of Christ. In this use it is parallel to other forms like Xtian, “Christian.” But people unaware of the Greek origin of this X often mistakenly interpret Xmas as an informal shortening pronounced (ksms). Many therefore frown upon the term Xmas because it seems to them a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas.
Marysecretary wrote:
Actually, from what I recall reading years ago, X actually meant Christ. Anyone else hear that?
Part of the Chi-roh (Greek symbol, I think)
which stand for Christ.
Now, don't you feel foolish? The answer was found by everyone here, with a simple Google search on "xmas." Googling is a great way to dispel myths.
I think you have too much time on your hands.
One more citation from the American Heritage Dictionary please!
LMAO
LOL! That's news X-Files fans!
One thing we've all learned is that the American Heritage Dictionary does a helluva job of getting listed high on Google!
Let's not forget the "P" as in XP which is the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
Maybe they GoogleBomb frequently?
Me too! Congratulations to ourselves is in order.
Oh please. With the manifold blasphemies that occur day-to-day in the US, most of them being committed by so-called believers in Christ, you pick on this pseudo-insult?
Get a grip. First of all, the term "Christmas" is not a scriptural one. Second, it is unlikely that our Savior was not born on December 25th, the traditional date for celebrating Saturnalia, the advent of Saturn or Tammuz in ancient Babylonian mythological lore. And finally, I think that the Almighty is above fussing about a silly abbreviation, especially a legitimate one.
C'mon dood. Learn to concentrate on weightier aspects of Christianity, like love for fellow believers, sharing your faith with others, giving to the poor. Those are things we should definitely not abbreviate.
Mr. X?
You're Mr. Christ?
Thanks, tiamat.
-ZZTop
And yes, I basically am serious.
And without reading the posts, I am SURE that someone drags out the fact that the English capital X looks like the first letter in the Greek word Christos. This is indisputable .
Equally indisputable is the fact that, if 1 in 1000 who actually write XMas is even dimly aware of that fact... then I'm Bill Clinton.
Dan
Biblical Christianity web site
Biblical Christianity message board
Biblical Christianity BLOG
To Tell the Truth, Virginia...
Its two greek letters together, Chi and Rho (X and R) that to this day translate into Christ in Latin and Greek rite Catholic churches. Why the X (Chi) was ever substituted alone, to represent the entire name of Christ by itself, I don't know.
To us its Christ and Christmas.
Hope everyone is having a blessed Advent season.
LOL!
Me and a couple dozen other people!
It was coined by two rival railroad barons in the 19th century who made their rail lines literally cross in an "X" pattern rather than concede the other's right of way. This led to many, many accidents and an escalation of bad will. Finally, on Christmas Day, 1894, there was a big wreck that kiiled both of their families, who were coming home for the holidays. This tragedy finally enlightened them to the foolhardiness of their feud so they got out there with pickaxes that very afternoon and jointedly destroyed the hideous crossing. It is this holiday change of heart that we commemorate with the abbreviation "Xmas."
(not true - but I thought I'd make up a false history. The explanation of the Greek letter signifying Christ is, of course, the real deal.)
I run Windows XP (Christ Professional)
Woo hoo! Three cheers for us!
See what comes of taking Christmas out of the public schools? That's where I learned the "chi" thing, way back in the Sixties. I was a shepherd in the Christmas pageant too. Fairfax County, VA, late 60's.
I will not shop in any store that uses this term in its windows or advertising. And if it's a small business, I'll drop in to tell the owner so.
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