Who Invented "X"mas?

[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.

[yarddog]

I have heard different stories. One that it is from Chi, another that it stands for the cross. Probably some truth in both. Another that some religious people don't like to use the written or spoken word for the Lord.

As a matter of fact, I too suspect many use it in order to take Christ out of Christmas.

[KeyWest]

Google is your friend.

[NonValueAdded]

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.

[cicero's_son]

You can't hide forever, you know.

[Portmeirion]

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.

[tiamat]

Marysecretary wrote:


Actually, from what I recall reading years ago, X actually meant Christ. Anyone else hear that?

---

I heard that, too.

From the Greek letter "chi" which is "X' shaped, both for the sound and because the "X" reminded people of the Cross.

[Manic_Episode]

The railroad?

[Salvation]

Part of the Chi-roh (Greek symbol, I think)

which stand for Christ.

[drjimmy]

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.

Who invented the vanity post by someone so lazy they would rather claim a commie conspiracy than look it up in a dictionary? In this case, the American Heritage Dictionary:
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.

[MineralMan]

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.

[Labyrinthos]

I think you have too much time on your hands.

[frog_jerk_2004]

One more citation from the American Heritage Dictionary please!

[Constitution Day]

LMAO

[Wiz]

LOL! That's news X-Files fans!

[drjimmy]

One thing we've all learned is that the American Heritage Dictionary does a helluva job of getting listed high on Google!

[Noachian]

Let's not forget the "P" as in XP which is the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.

[frog_jerk_2004]

Maybe they GoogleBomb frequently?

[Aquinasfan]

For once I bothered to read the thread before being one of the ten.

Me too! Congratulations to ourselves is in order.

[Guyin4Os]

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.

[sharktrager]

Mr. X?

You're Mr. Christ?