2007-12-20 00:24:31 · 15 answers · asked by jess jan 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
weird huh?
2007-12-20 00:27:10 · answer #1 · answered by knowitall 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Greek word for Christ is ΧÏιÏÏοÏ. Back in the olden days, people used to write XP or Xt to reference Christ. This is still seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. That's the reason behind choosing 'x' to shorten down the word Christmas.
But the reason for shortening it in the first place is something that's unknown. Many people believe it was done to take the Christ out, so that more people can participate and enjoy in this time of year, without being Christians n such. Some just believe that it was shortened to make it easier and more convenient to write... happy X-Mas! Of course, when saying it tho, it isn't really shortened... X-Mas and Christmas both have 2 syllables.
2007-12-20 08:34:17 · answer #2 · answered by DSC 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A seasonal and interesting etymology question: was the X a "commercializing" thing to make Christmas more edible for non-Christians? Is the X really a cross?
Neither, in fact; it appears that the X is really the first letter of the word Xtos (ΧΡÎΣΤÎΣ), which in Greek is the word for Christ.
Xmas
SYLLABICATION: X·mas
PRONUNCIATION: krsms, ksms
NOUN: Christmas.
ETYMOLOGY: From X, the Greek letter chi, first letter of Greek Khrstos, Christ. See Christ.
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.
2007-12-20 08:28:11 · answer #3 · answered by ocnbrez2003 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The X is supposed to take Christ out of the word so its not CHRISTmas but Xmas.
2007-12-20 08:27:02 · answer #4 · answered by Google Rules! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone who was either too lazy to spell out the whole word or thought the "Christ" part of it was taboo.
To me, "X" in no way is an abbreviation for Jesus. That is reprehensible and completely disrepectful. Jesus Christ more than deserves to have his name spelled out in full.
EMT
2007-12-20 09:30:58 · answer #5 · answered by emt_me911 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they Put X instead of Christ cause Non Christian people want to Celebrate it also without admitting it's a christian holiday while it's the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.
2007-12-20 08:35:54 · answer #6 · answered by D.Z.P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an atheist conspiracy to cross out Christ and make all words shorter. I always say "X-Mas" myself.
2007-12-20 08:31:29 · answer #7 · answered by Takuma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No idea who started it. I always spell it Christmas.
2007-12-20 08:28:30 · answer #8 · answered by barbwire 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
X is the first letter of Jesus's name in Greek.
2007-12-20 08:27:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
the X represents the word Christ and is therefore an abbreviation.
2007-12-20 08:38:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Probably someone thought the ACLU would sue them if they ever mentioned the word "Christ."
2007-12-20 08:28:17 · answer #11 · answered by Slappy McStretchNuts 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋