[Charles Henrickson]

The thing that looks like an "X" in "Xmas" is not actually an "X." It's the Greek letter Chi, the first letter in Christos, meaning "Christ." So "Xmas" does equal "Christmas."

And if people are trying to take the "Christ" out of "Christmas" (literally), then they should also remove the "-mas," since it refers to the "Christ Mass," that is, the Festival (the Feast, the Mass) of the Nativity of Our Lord.

Likewise, "holiday" equals "holy day," a day set apart unto the Lord.

Of course, nobody knows these things anymore. We are so ignorant of our language and our history. In Western Civilization, history is thoroughly intertwined with church history.

[JennysCool]

The thing that looks like an "X" in "Xmas" is not actually an "X." It's the Greek letter Chi, the first letter in Christos, meaning "Christ." So "Xmas" does equal "Christmas."

I know, but as you know, here in the United States the term has mostly been used either for convenience or out of fear of offending somebody.

Happy Thanksgiving, btw! Keep up the posting excellence!

[ladyjane]

The next time someone wishes me happy holidays I'm going to respond: "Oh, I don't celebrate all the holidays. Only Christmas. Thank you! Have a good one yourself!"