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.

[Marysecretary]

Thanks, tiamat.

[stainlessbanner]

"I heard it on the X."

-ZZTop

[BibChr]

Who invented writing "Xmas" instead of CHRISTmas"? I think everyone here knows my opinion.

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
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[OriginalChristian]

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.

[tiamat]

LOL!

Me and a couple dozen other people!

[Puddleglum]

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.)

[stainlessbanner]

I run Windows XP (Christ Professional)

[Beckwith]

The nun in third grade, Sr. Elizabeth, grade was the first person I ever heard rail against "XMass". That was 1948 and she was pissed.

She was also the first that explained Islam, Muslims and conversion by the sword. She pointed out (in 1948) that that sword on the Saudi flag represents the sword of Muhammad and a reminder of the continuing expansion of Islam by whatever means necessary.

I was eight and remember those lectures vividly, but I was never in Cambodia.

[nina0113]

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.

[Shqipo]

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.

[Petronski]

In medical terminology X can mean 'all the rest' such as in Hx means history on your medical chart.

There are lots of handy, geeky terms like that. Xmit=transmit. Wx=weather. Dx=Diagnosis.

But Xmas is His initial in the place of His name. I find it perfectly acceptable.

[funkywbr]

I GUESS that if you want Santa to come visit you and know where you live, X marks the spot!~}

[EggsAckley]

x is the Roman notation for ten
x is the mark of illiterate men
x is a ruler removed from his throne
x is a quantity wholly unknown
x stand for zermes, the ruler renowned
x marks the spot where the body was found
xmas is Christmas, a season of bliss
x in a letter is good for a kiss.

[conservlib]

I think you may be correct, as I recall the Greek use X for Christ; however, I am not sure if they actually use X or +?

[Petronski]

It should be read as 'Christmas' not 'Eksmas.'

[squirt-gun]

Re # 3...Correct. X was an historic Christian designation for Christ.

However, the ACLU (among others) has been busy taking any religious connotation out of the Christian Christmas season. They have been successful in banning the nativity scene in many public places (leaving common sense and good will at the doorstep)...and in the past few years have launched an assault on the Boy Scouts since their pledge includes a reference to "God" and their "code of honor" bans sodomy and other homosexual obscenities.

You may note that no one at the executive level of the ACLU has ever been a practicing Chrisitan or a member of the U.S. military and my understanding is that the same goes for ever being a member of the girl or boyscouts.

[Jimmyclyde]

Christmas is a pagan Holyday.

[AntiGuv]

The question of whether most people writing Xmas are aware of what it means has no bearing whatsoever on the question of why it came to be used in the first place.

The use of X to denote Christ throughout Christendom since the earliest times is indisputable, so what possible reason is there to think otherwise in this one instance?

[xp38]

This is link to Christian symbols. Chi Rho is the 4th down on the right side. http://home.rochester.rr.com/gocek/images/christn/