ChatterBank6 mins ago
The X in Xmas is the Greek For Christ
I just found this on the Wikipedia entry for "List of Common Misconceptions": http://en.wikipedia.o...common_misconceptions
From Wiki:
"Xmas" is not a secular plan to "take the Christ out of Christmas." "The usual suggestion is that 'Xmas' is ... an attempt by the ungodly to x-out Jesus and banish religion from the holiday." However, X stands for the Greek letter Chi, the starting letter of Χριστός, or "Christ" in Greek. The use of the word "Xmas" can be traced to the year 1021 when "monks in Great Britain...used the X while transcribing classical manuscripts into Old English" in place of "Christ". The Oxford English Dictionary's "first recorded use of 'Xmas' for 'Christmas' dates back to 1551."Paul Brians adds that, "so few people know this that it is probably better not to use this popular abbreviation in religious contexts."
Interesting, as many rail against it either being a secularisation of the holiday or an Americanisation... and yet, it isn't!
Of course, you all knew that already, right?
From Wiki:
"Xmas" is not a secular plan to "take the Christ out of Christmas." "The usual suggestion is that 'Xmas' is ... an attempt by the ungodly to x-out Jesus and banish religion from the holiday." However, X stands for the Greek letter Chi, the starting letter of Χριστός, or "Christ" in Greek. The use of the word "Xmas" can be traced to the year 1021 when "monks in Great Britain...used the X while transcribing classical manuscripts into Old English" in place of "Christ". The Oxford English Dictionary's "first recorded use of 'Xmas' for 'Christmas' dates back to 1551."Paul Brians adds that, "so few people know this that it is probably better not to use this popular abbreviation in religious contexts."
Interesting, as many rail against it either being a secularisation of the holiday or an Americanisation... and yet, it isn't!
Of course, you all knew that already, right?
Answers
1 to 19 of 19
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by AB Editor. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.1 to 19 of 19
Related Questions
Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to search for some keywords, or choose a topic and submit your own question.