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- Encyclopedia Britannica explained that the term "Christmas" is of "fairly recent origin," and Dictionary.com reported the Christ part of the word Christmas derived from the Greek word Chrīstos, spelled Χριστός in Greek. This explains why people abbreviate Christmas to Xmas.
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Here’s a holiday surprise that only the dictionary can provide. Do you find the word Xmas, as an abbreviation for Christmas, offensive? Many people do, but the origin of this controversial term might change your mind! You won’t find Xmas in church songbooks or even on many greeting cards.
The word Christ and its compounds, including Christmas, have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern Xmas was commonly used. Christ was often written as 'Xρ' or 'Xt'; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as 1021.
Dec 20, 1999 · The abbreviation of 'Xmas' for 'Christmas' -- contrary to persistent claims -- is not modern, did not stem from an attempt to remove Christ or other religious aspects from...
Dec 15, 2023 · Why do people call Christmas Xmas? We call Christmas “Xmas” for the same reason we call presents “prezzies” or breakfast “brekkie,” admittedly, this is more common in Great Britain than it is across the pond.
Dec 23, 2022 · Hence, people have used the abbreviation “Xmas” for “Christmas” since at least the year 1755. Not because “Christ” sounds like “eks” but because it begins with the sound “Ch” which is written in Greek as “χ” which resembles “X” in appearance.
Dec 10, 2017 · Many people think the term "Xmas" in lieu of "Christmas" has secular origins in modern day, but it has historic, Christian roots.
Dec 14, 2014 · Most scholars agree that the first appearance of this abbreviation for Christmas dates to 1021, “when an Anglo-Saxon scribe saved himself space by writing XPmas,” reported First Things ...
