Xmas

[R. Richard]

Many people believe that Xmas is a shorthand version of Christmas and is somehow disrespectful. This is not the case.

The X comes from X, the Greek letter chi, first letter of Greek Khrstos (Christ).

Xmas has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where, again, the X represents a Greek chi, the first letter of “Christ.” The usage is parallel to other religious forms like Xtian (Christian). Many people, unaware of the Greek origin of this X, often mistakenly interpret Xmas as an informal, disrespectful shortening of Christmas. Others see Xmas as a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas. However, Xmas is an ancient religious term and is quite proper for use.

Merry Xmas, all!

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I never knew anyone thought 'Xmas' wa disrespectful. I just thought it was acceptable shorthand.

Funny, in chemistry we us "reX'n" to stand for both "reaction" and "recrystallization". I guess in the latter case it's a pun on 'cryst' and 'Christ'.

---Zoot

 

[English Lady]

I really can't be dong with the "x" thing. Might be less disrespectful than I feel it is but it just looks so... not christmas!!!!

I always write/type the full thing. It's one of my many quirks!

 

[cantdog]

Vellum and parchment were only so big. Acres of hand-lettering would make anyone shorten a word or two.

 

[Weird Harold]

I never knew anyone thought 'Xmas' wa disrespectful. I just thought it was acceptable shorthand.

It is probably more acceptable today than it was when my mother impressed on me that Christmas should never be abreviaed in any way. (back in the late fifties.)

There were a lot of "respect" issues that Mom insisted be observed -- things like never putting another book on the Bible; it should always be on the top of a stack of books -- that today don't even raise an eyebrow except from a few of us old farts with long memories of traumatic lessons in "respect."

 

[sweetnpetite]

There were a lot of "respect" issues that Mom insisted be observed -- things like never putting another book on the Bible; it should always be on the top of a stack of books.

I used to instist on this as well- but honestly don't know where it came from. I was starting to think I was the only one who had even thought of that. That is the first time I heard anyone else say it. thanks WH!

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

I seem to like XXXmas.

...might have something to do with me being a fuckslut.

 

[cantdog]

I don't imagine that's Christ!Christ!Christ!mas?